A Deluge of Art: Art Sanchez, Marina Cruz, and Pam Yan Santos

Arturo Sanchez, Jr., "Caught In A Time Warp", collage on convex mirror, detail

What a difference a week makes! Hard to believe, as we bask in today’s sunshine, how torrents of water engulfed our fair metropolis just seven days ago. While mundane matters deservedly took a back seat to stories of despair, hope, and good samaritanship, these exhibits prove that art can still offer some solace for the soul.  Catch them while you can— while the good weather lasts: Continue reading


Pam Yan Santos, They Are Birds If They Fly

As the wife of Jose John Santos III, art collectors consider her as half of one of Philippine art’s super couples.  But at home in Pasig, where she works alongside her husband out of their third floor studio, Pamela Yan Santos, 37, comes across as, first and foremost, mother to her eight-year-old son, Juno.  Her art, multi-layered acrylic paintings and serigraphs on canvas, have frequently reflected her experiences as a parent of a child with special needs. “I don’t think I can get out of that, it’s part of my system”, she says with a wry smile. Continue reading


Pam Yan Santos Makes Sense

Pam Yan Santos, "Spell Sunday"

Pam Yan Santos, "2280 Hours"

Talk about an artist with universal appeal.  Everybody loves Pam Yan Santos.  Her work radiates positivity, warmth, and sincerity without resorting to triteness.  Those of us who follow her career feel that we know her well. Her journey as a young wife and mother frequently serve as take off points to her art.  Yet we never seem to tire of her continued references to home and family ties.  Perhaps because we realize that as she draws from within, she always discovers something fresh and unique to share with us.  It also helps that when we see one of her paintings on serigraphs, we know that we get a piece that has been put together with careful attention to detail and fastidious craftsmanship.

Detail, "2280 Hours"

Why is Dr. Bing Fernandez smiling brightly beside "Encircle The Correct Answer"?

Why is Dr. Bing Fernandez smiling so brightly beside "Encircle The Correct Answer"?

Makes Sense takes inspiration from her son, Juno.  He is at the stage when he begins to piece together experiences and influences in a logical manner.  Juno has started to realize how different situations may connect to one another.

Pam Yan Santos, "Are You Afraid Of The Onion?"

Pam’s pieces display multiple layers of technique and meaning.  Using a collection of old photographs culled mostly from her husband’s family as references, she completes eight painted images and two installations for this show.

In Spell Sunday, she creates a verbal and visual pun, playing with the words sunday and sundae.  You see a family sitting down together to enjoy an ice cream sundae.  You understand that this happens on a Sunday, the day when we usually get together with our immediate and extended families. The focal point of this work, standing dead center, is a perfect, photorealistic depiction of the ice cream sundae. As your eyes move outward, you notice the other details. Outside the ice cream parlor, you see an older couple carrying some luggage.  You wonder, have they come to join the group, or have they just left, off to spend their Sunday in their own way? Spell Sunday allows us to define our Sundays.

Pam Yan Santos, "Heavy Duty"

I love the piece 2280 Hours. On one part of the diptych, Pam paints the lower part of someone’s denim-clad legs, crossed impatiently, marking time.  The second part, so beautifully rendered, she depicts a crocheted coverlet that had been made by the grandmother of her husband, John.  In this piece, Pam marvels at the pace of life in days gone by that allowed ladies the luxury to create such lovely objects for one’s home and family.  The title of the piece comes from the number of hours she spent putting together all her work for this show.  She reflects on time to remark on its passing and as a reminder to people who always feel pressed for time.

Gigo Alampay of CANVAS stands beside "When Do We Say The Following"

Are You Afraid Of The Onion recounts an amusing incident.  One day, as they sat slicing onions in their kitchen, Juno noticed the tears that the onions induced.  This left him fascinated.  Apparently, the incident made such an impression on him that on another occasion, when he noticed his mom in tears after she had watched a particularly touching show on television, he asked  “Mommy, are you afraid of the onion?”

Pam Yan Santos, "I Want To Squash It"

A lady in a red patterned dress examines her shoes in Encircle The Correct Answer. Beneath this line, two responses have been chosen:  feet in and fit in.  Like most things in life, no one answer wins over another.

Playing musical chairs with Pam's installation

The show’s biggest piece All Together Now…Ready Sing shows six men in various stages of enjoying a meal. All wear identical outfits of white shirts and light blue ties.  They look so in sync, as if obeying instructions from the faceless conductor on the right side of the canvas.  In this work, Pam pays an oblique tribute to John’s uncle, Ramon Santos, who unintentionally participated in the National Artist controversy earlier this year.  Santos had been recommended for the award by the panel that selects National Artists, only to be stricken off the list to make way for Malacañang’s nominees.  Look closely and you will see the musical score from one of Ramon Santos’ original creations.  He makes another appearance in When Do We Say The Following. Pam uses his image beside her depiction of a door panel secured by several locks. 

At  Art Informal’s foyer, Pam mounts two installations that respond to each other.  As you come in the gallery’s doors, you see seven different chairs arranged in a circle but facing outward.  In each of the chairs, she hangs papier mache balloons displaying various patterns.  In this game of musical chairs, all seven participants have a seat, nobody gets eliminated.  The chairs become a celebration of individuality and personal identity, a lesson she takes pains to impart to her son.  A student’s chair faces the foyer’s wall.  On the wall, Pam has reproduced Juno’s doodles of smiley faces. At the center of the piece, she hangs a small blackboard.  Here, viewers write down the number of  smiley faces they think Pam has printed on the wall.  The incentive for the one who comes closest?  The chance to bring home one of the balloons!

The artist of the moment, Pam Yan Santos

Because of her choice of images, Pam’s pieces give off a nostalgic air.  You feel transported to the 1960s and 1970s, and this adds to the feeling of wholesomeness that pervades in her work.  Her technique, however, with its combination of printed and painted layers, definitely comes from today.   As the award bodies of  both the Ateneo Art Awards and the CCP Thirteen Artists Awards have attested this year, Pam Yan Santos is one of the most exciting contemporary artists practicing at present.

Balloon detail

Makes Sense runs from 27 November to 16 December 2009 at Art Informal, 277 Connecticut St., Greenhills East, Mandaluyong City.  Phone (632) 725-8518 or visit http://www.artinformal.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCN6IVGJgq8


The Ateneo Art Awards 2009

Ateneo Art Awards Short-listed Artists with Judges and Sponsors (photo from R. Jalandoni)

Ateneo Art Awards Short-listed Artists with Fr. Nebres of the Ateneo, Richie Lerma of the Ateneo Art Gallery, judges, and sponsors (photo from Rani Jalandoni)

Michelline Syuco with a piece from "Armadillon"

Michelline Syuco with a piece from "Armadillon"

Well, I got two of the three winners right, and the third I actually picked as a runner-up, so I guess I didn’t do too badly in predicting this year’s recipients of the Ateneo Art Awards.  I had a feeling the two-dimensional pieces would be passed over, no matter how excellently-made.  All in all, the quality of the short-listed artists only bodes well for the future of Philippine art.  I am proud to say I saw all but two of the shows in situ.  It was great to relive them at the Ateneo Art Gallery’s display at Shangri-La Plaza Mall.  Of course the experience does not come close to actually viewing the shows (where was Patty’s lace piano?), but still, you do get a feel for the sensibilities of each of the artists.  How exhilarating to witness the diversity!

Detail from Michelline Syjuco's "Armadillon"

Detail from Michelline Syjuco's "Armadillon", shown at Mag:net

 

Raul Manzano, Editor-In-Chief of Metro Society, one of the night's sponsors

Raul Manzano, Editor-In-Chief of Metro Society, one of the night's sponsors

Continue reading


Tin-Aw Turns One!

 

Don Salubayba "The Best Unit of Oneself is Oneself"

Don Salubayba "The Best Unit of Oneself is Oneself"

When Dawn Atienza decided to finally open her own gallery, she knew the kind of place she longed for.  Aside from an easily accessible location, she wanted her space to simulate the relaxed, informal atmoshpere of Art In The Park, the Museum Foundation’s annual affordable art fair. Continue reading


Like by Pam Yan-Santos

Like can mean so many different things.  Like as akin to.  Like as a predisposition for. Like to denote approval of.  When you view  Pam Yan-Santos’ latest solo show, you come to understand that like also reveals the longing that a young mother hopes for the future of her son. 

Color the Picture

 

 

 

 

 

 

All Pam’s seven pieces revolve around Juno, her only child.  In Color  the Picture, he gets his hair cut, the first time without embracing arms to   support him,  the repeated clicking of metal shears  inducing unavoidable unease.  In Open Line two children, a boy and a girl, stand not quite close enough, yet not too far apart, their eyes almost, but not really, making contact.  What does the future hold for the chance of relationships?  Positive Thoughts  turns into a mantra chanted repeatedly by a young father to keep his frustrations at bay. We forget that the innocuous birthday party of Make A Cake! Make A Cake,  all pink and pretty and filled with balloons, actually serves as a child’s first foray into social relationships, a chance for friendships forged or awkwardness magnified.  In the diptych Circle Time  boys come together and play.  In the revelry and boisterousness of their games, who can detect who is different?

Open Line

Open Line

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Positive Thoughts

Positive Thoughts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The richness of Pam’s work lies in her success at combining her skills as both printmaker and painter.  The multiple layers of serigraphs and silk screens, finished off by her acrylic images, all come together in one impeccable, robust, textured, completely satisfying whole.  I like.

Circle Time

Circle Time

Like by Pam Yan-Santos is on view at Blanc Compound from 3 to 21 Nov. 2008.  Blanc Compound is at 359 Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City.  Log on to www.blanc.ph or call (632) 752-0032 for more details.  Exhibit is curated by Leo Abaya

Hello Everybody

Hello Everybody

Pam with Eileen Ramirez of the Lopez Museum

Pam with Eileen Ramirez of the Lopez Museum