art on the verge | Manila Art Blogger

I first saw Brendale Tadeo’s work three years ago, in November 2007, at Art In The Park. I remember being attracted to the

Brendale Tadeo, "Machinas V"

blood red drips he used as backdrop for the distorted santo heads on his oil on paper pieces. At that time, he worked as an apprentice to artist Don Salubayba and did projects with Anino Shadowplay. A native of Zambales, he also became a regular at the workshops of Casa San Miguel, Coke Bolipata’s oasis for the visual and performing arts in that province.

Brendale Tadeo, "Machinas VIII"

Financial difficulties had forced Brendale to abandon his Fine Arts studies. But the desire to create kept him at the fringes of the visual arts scene. He attended short courses at the CCP and worked with the artist group TutoK. He learned composition by closely observing Elmer Borlongan. His perseverance has paid off. Next month, he goes back to the Philippine Women’s University as the first Art On The Verge scholar, a grant made possible by Rogue Magazine and Art Cabinet Philippines. He continues to help out at Casa San Miguel, where he now has been generously given studio space.

Dindin Araneta, Brendale Tadeo, and Coke Bolipata with "Machinas I"

For his first one-man show, part of his Art On The Verge grant, Brendale worked closely with independent curator Boots Herrera. In Machinas, he explores how machines have become extensions of the self, especially to those who depend on them to eke out a living. For the tricycle driver, or the messenger, or the bus driver, and even for the mangbobote who goes around scavenging for waste, the machines they work with on a daily basis act as their lifeblood, as vital to their survival as an artery or a lung. He uses photo transfers to create the figures on his mixed media pieces. Just as it was in Art In The Park three years ago, I thought his pieces came alive with the colors he chooses as his backdrop, the bright drips of magenta or green or orange.

Elmer Borlongan and Lisa Periquet

You do get a sense of Don Salubayba’s influence in this particular set of works. But then, this show marks a beginning for Brendale. As he moves on to take instruction in a formal academic environment, we hope to see his raw promise crystallize into something purely his own.

Brendale Tadeo, "Machinas VI"

Machinas ran from 29 April to 21 May 2010 at the Nova Gallery, Warehouse 10A, La Fuerza Compound, 2241 Chino Roces Ave., Makati City. Phone (632) 392-7741 or visit http://www.novagallerymanila.com

Art On The Verge is an annual grant awarded to deserving visual artists, 32 years old and younger, who wish to continue with their formal studies. For more information, visit http://www.rogue.ph or http://www.artcabinetphilippines.com

Borlongan Pere et Fils, Emong and his dad

Brendale Tadeo, "Lola"

Brendale Tadeo, "Machinas III"

Brendale Tadeo, "Mano Mano Series"

Anton del Castillo, "Battle Plan I, II, III"

The three of us first came together sometime May, Katrina Tuason Cruz of Rogue Magazine, Dindin Araneta of Art

"Allegorical Partition" and "The Battle Ship"

Cabinet Philippines, and myself. We met to discuss another project that never did pan out, but in the course of our discussions, we hit upon the idea of putting together a scholarship program that would initially focus on the visual arts. Art lovers all, we felt that every budding artist deserved the chance of a formal education. The Philippine art scene somehow manages to remain vibrant and engaged despite the huge obstacle of almost no government support. Filipino visual artists make do and produce spectacular work in various media. We felt that the lack of financial means shouldn’t be a hindrance to committed individuals intent on contributing to Philippine art. We hope to encourage this via Art On The Verge.

Curator Yeyey Cruz and Charlie Cojuangco

We launched Art On The Verge through a fundraising exhibit at the newly-opened NOVA Gallery in Pasong Tamo, Makati. Businessman Charlie Cojuangco generously allowed the use of his new space for our purposes. An avid art collector, Charlie set up this gallery to support the endeavors of artists in his native Negros. I think this gallery, with its intimate proportions and subtle design details, will turn out to be one of the most

Anton del Castillo, "Conquistador"

interesting spaces in Makati. Artist Sandra Palomar, Charlie’s gallery consultant, envisions the place to be a venue for shows and artistic discussion.

Ateneo's Leo Garcia and Mrs. Maribel Ongpin

Artist Anton del Castillo worked very closely with curator Patrick Flores to put together Conquistador, this exhibit of Anton’s latest work in his signature medium of oil over gold leaf. He parlays

Toy Soldiers Installation

his continuing interest in war and warfare into this show of wall-bound works and free-standing sculpture. In the words of Patrick, Anton “… selects three artifices to convey this outlook: the toy soldier, the map, and the maquettes of military hardware.” Through his artisanship, Anton imbues what would otherwise be rugged machines of destruction with finesse and delicacy. He embeds a myriad of detail into his pieces, layers that you only see up close. As is his wont, this show once again blends age-old techinique with very modern concerns.

Jasmin and Jayjay Sy, Mike Gomez, and Felix Barrientos

Anton del Castillo, Inhabitant I and II and Breath of Supremacy

The first receipient of the Art On The Verge annual grant is Brendale Tadeo, a talented young artist from Zambales who has apprenticed with Don Salubayba and Anino Shadowplay.

Anton del Castillo, "The Unleashed"

For more information on Art On The Verge, please contact Art Cabinet Philippines at (63928)550-4816 or Rogue Media Inc. at (632) 729-7747. Or visit http://www.artcabinetphilippines.com

Conquistador runs from 25 November to 22 December 2009 . NOVA Gallery is located at Warehouse 11A, La Fuerza Compound, 2241 Chino Roces Avenue (Pasong Tamo), Makati City.