EX-NEWSPAPER ARTIST BENJIE MALLARI PAINTS OLD MANILA IN NEW EXHIBIT
The nostalgia of old Manila is what artist Benjie Mallari seeks to evoke in “If I Had a Time Machine,” his solo exhibit that will run at Galerie Joaquin Podium on June 21-30.
Mallari said his art supports the gentrification of old Manila so as to preserve it amid the urban jungle.
Mallari does not simply recreate the glory days of Manila, he reveals a feasible future for it.
Mallari’s works tackle specific periods in the modern history of the Philippines, transporting viewers back in time: gentlemen dressed in all-white suits and traditional straw hats, and rounded cars mixing with carabao carts depict scenes during the American colonial period or early post-World War II, conveying stories of the Manila old timers remember.
Mallari’s artistic sensibilities go back several decades. A former art director of Meralco, he did cartoons of the daily op- position paper Ang Pahayagang Malaya during the Marcos dictatorship.
Mallari, now based in Baguio, also designed the centennial calendar of National Artist Fernando Amorsolo, and jacket covers of albums of works by National Artist for Music Lucio San Pedro.
Mallari has a degree in fine arts major in advertising from the University of the East.
“If I Had a Time Machine” will have an artist’s reception on June 21 at 6 p.m. Galerie Joaquin Podium is at 3/L Podium, ADB Ave., Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City. Call 6347954 or 7239418; e-mail podium. galeriejoaquin@gmail.com.