- Johnny E. SJ. Otilano
While channeling his passion for his homeland in the Philippines, Johnny E. SJ. Otilano has embraced art as a positive tool to take action in the complex social issues he faced in his country and around the world. Often displaying symbolic shape structures such as 'the eye' often becomes the main subject of his works on large scale canvases providing the ability to apply spacial elements in his storytelling. Otilano's bold take on surrealism focuses on unexpected juxtapositions of textures, objects, natural and urban settings that invite his audience into surprising new perspectives transforming his canvases into portals to another time-space. Using familiar objects to build each narrative and symbolic structure, he expresses his commitment to exploring all aspects of his imagination internally, and externally. Often using the topic of 'stream of consciousness,' his work carries a dreamlike presence, and an invigorating use of light.
“The distinctive personal style and technique that I have incorporated in my pieces are spreading paint on raw plywood, and gluing, and nailing found objects like a soda can pull tabs, old keys, metal chains, and gun shells.It is my belief, as an artist and as a human, that we all exist here for a purpose. As an Artist, you have to explore a lot and experiment, and as time goes by, you uncover your own self and discover where you stand. No matter what other people say: continue what you're doing, believe in yourself, and be passionate about your art. Your art and what you express and everything that comes out of it is your soul, a God-given talent, a God-given soul. I feel that my paintings express a thousand words and myriad thoughts, "If a pen is mightier than the sword, my brushes are more powerful than a bow and arrows.”