DOG GOD Exhibit

By Wein P. Gadian
Photos by Chris Fernandez

UST almni explaining 'DOG GOD'

In support of the 400th anniversary of the University of Santo Tomas (UST), the office of its Secretary General and the UST Museum of Arts and Sciences formed the “Young Thomasian Artists Circle” (YTAC). It is composed of (9) nine alumni visual artists from the UST College of Fine Arts and Design. All of them have proven their artistic distinction through various exhibitions and competitions both locally and internationally.

This project is also conceived to be one of the creative means in strengthening the Thomasian public presence nationwide and globally through the arts. And as alumnus of a Catholic university, the nine visual artists were challenged to transmit their receptiveness in an exhibit dubbed, ‘DOG GOD’. The ‘dog’ is a sign of the Dominican order and that they are known as ‘Hounds of God’ (Dominicanis). These artists have created works that will stir the ideals of viewers, associating philosophy, psychology and religion in unraveling answers to external questions that involve the mystery of sacred and profane. Or what is ‘dog or God’, ‘sacred or profane.’

What is sacred and profane?

What may be sacred to one is a profane to another. It also sums our different views and undertaking of life. The nine visual artists: Andres Barrioquinto, Lawrence Borsoto, Buen Franklin Anthony Calubayan, Lindsey Lee, Mark Magistrado, Jaime Jesus Pacena II, Ivan Roxas, CJ Tañedo and Wesley Valenzuela works may or may not depict our views, but it will incite questions of WHY, WHERE, WHAT, HOW and more. Questions like: Why do I exist? Where am I heading, heaven or hell? What am I doing? How did I become ‘me’?

The artists’ works

Andres Barrioquinto’s works in its mundane flat images creates an internal curiosity. The distorted images reveals a depth and not simply for the sake of distortion. All of it entails a naturalism of the supernatural. (notes taken from Lito B. Zulueta’s, “Art as God’s Hound.”)

Wesley Valenzuela’s mixed media depict the presence of both good and evil. The idea that both thrive with a purpose, and the fact of freedom and its possibilities are already signs of grace.

Lawrence Barsoto gives a feeling of extraordinariness in the ordinary daily life. It also brings to mind man’s innate way to survive…to relieve his boredom in so many ways. Although it tells hope of escape of these things, there is still no automatic heaven, no quick fixes.

Jaime Jesus Pacena II

Ivan Roxas’ uses dramatic colors and irony. His intriguing characters implying a historic past of the Christian age that continues to evolve in the present.

C.J. Tañedo sensitivity on relationship is evident in his works. It has an embodiment of human being as both sacred and profane.

Jaime-Jesus Pacena II’s digital art manipulations showed mans dependence on technology. Yet it also throws a question: Does technology take man’s innate ability to do things?

Lawrence Borsoto

Lindsey Lee’s abstraction compels a striking individuality in man’s pursuit of truth; of God. His works also exercise the godlike omnipotence that unites dissonance together.
Mark Magistrado’s works is more of a singular confidence that brought a unified sensibility. His mastery of his craft also shows the interconnectedness of the natural and sacramental.

Buen Calubayan in his graphic realism portrays man’s search for meaning. He combines the linguistic and meta-linguistic in his works. (some notes taken from Lito B. Zulueta’s, “Art as God’s Hound.”)

The YTAC’s exhibits were held at the UST Museum of Arts and Sciences’ Main Gallery (January 10 – 28), Cultural Center of the Philippines’ (CCP) Bulwagang Juan Luna Main Gallery (February 10 – March 20). It also launched its first provincial round at the Museo Iloilo since September 29 to October 29 in cooperation with the Museo Iloilo and the Iloilo Cultural Research Foundation, Inc. YTAC will also have other provincial tours to Cebu and Davao. And an international exhibit to Korea and Singapore.  ‘Dog God’ exhibit is headed by REV. Fr. Isidro C. Abaño, O.P. (Project Director) and Ms. Jocelyn Dare Tullao (Exhibit Curator). Visit MUSEO ILOILO and see YTAC’s works and be taken in the ethereal world of the sacred and profane.