WHAT happens when artists are asked to ponder on the word “viral,” and are requested to paint the “viral” they see in their imaginations?
To find out, curator JT Gonzales challenged Bacolod-based artists to paint the “viral” in their minds and the result is an amazing variety of scenes, styles, subjects—anything else but coronavirus, the most viral topic in these times all around the world. Maybe the artists had a surfeit of that and went viral on something else.
Curator Gonzales brought the result of his painting challenge to Cebu, specifically to the Qube Gallery, for Cebuanos to appreciate the viral visions of artists Billy Boy Abonado, Dennis Ascalon, Hilario Campos III, Bjorn Calleja, Barry Cervantes, Charlie Co, Jay-R Delleva, Jovito Hecita, Junjun Montelibano, Jason Montinola and RA Tijing.
“One would have thought the artist would have fixated on the pandemic. Or social media. Or fame. But virology is unpredictable, and instead, we are treated to a diverse selection of, at the very core of it, supremely talented Bacolod artists,” said the curator.
“Perhaps, their works will germinate in you. And who knows what mutations that will bring forth?”
The exhibit “Viral” is ongoing at Qube Gallery—located at lifestyle strip Crossroads, on Gov. M. Cuenco Ave., Cebu City—until July 31.