Riel Hilario, "Gazing into the horizon while it gazes back at you", carved and polychromed friutwood, 70x24x20 cm

When sculptor Riel Hilario sits before a chunk of wood, he has no preconceived forms in his head.  Like a shaman, he lets the wood guide him, allowing it to tell him what to do.  On occasion, he even lets his dreams dictate the directions of his hands. What he consciously aspires for is the  creation of contemporary sculpture using the woodcarving traditions he grew up with.  In this exhibit of new works at The Drawing Room, Riel taps into his Ilocano heritage to once again bring us his rebultos, art that is in the round, derived “from the block”. Continue reading →