Ronson Culibrina at Secret Fresh
Ronson Culibrina’s thoughtful reflection on radical environmental transformations opens another iteration in a solo show opening on Oct. 20 at Secret Fresh Gallery.
Extending a theme from earlier series inspired by his hometown in Talim Island and the shores of Laguna de Bay, he proceeds with a new set of works that picture the current ecology of a lakeside community. The pieces emphasize the deterioration of a vibrant aquatic life, the threat of the excesses of industrialization, and their social impact on the lifestyle of inhabitants. Borrowing from the song of a popular Pinoy band, the exhibition is titled “Maselang Bahaghari,” which in reference to the works describes the colorful fields produced by the plastic bags and other plastic materials dumped and floating in the waters. These toxic materials, together with boats, aquatic plants, and the fisherfolks depicted in the paintings, become eye-catching cluster of forms seemingly intruding upon the neutral and almost clear background of the waters.
This show is curated by Ruel Caasi, in collaboration with Secret Fresh Gallery X The Working Animals Artprojects.
Secret Fresh Gallery is at Ronac Art Center, Ortigas Avenue, San Juan City.