• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
Negrense visual artist RA Tijing opened his solo art exhibition titled “Landscapes, Portraits, and Still Life” at the Orange Gallery, Art District, Brgy. Mandalagan, Bacolod City on March 15, as part of the 20th anniversary activities of Orange Project.
RA Tijing is a homegrown artist of Orange Project, which is committed to empowering the community through the transformative power of art.
“For the past two decades, his (Tijing’s) artistic practice has embodied the spirit of our creative community. This exhibition marks RA’s 16th year with Orange Project and serves as a reflective journey – one of continuous exploration – revisiting foundational themes through a contemporary lens,” a statement from Orange Project said.
Landscapes, Portraits, and Still Life invites viewers into poignant encounters with contemporary socio-political realities, expressed through Tijing’s distinctive modern painting style. Embracing his deep affinity for oil as a medium, he weaves personal and collective narratives while subtly addressing the global impacts of war. His canvases serve as theatrical stages depicting remnants of destruction – shattered tanks, crumbling buildings, and haunting imagery of carcasses and war-turn landscapes.
Through his meticulous mise en scene, Tijing compels us to confront stark contrasts: former sanctuaries – homes, playgrounds – now reduced to ruins. This evocative juxtaposition invites deeper reflection on the fragility of human existence and the enduring scars of conflict.
As visitors engage with his work, they are drawn into surreal landscapes of memory and reality, forging connections between the visceral and the existential – underscoring the urgency of these themes in our time, the statement added.*
