IT IS WHAT IT IS is a group exhibition curated by Lester Amacio, who believes abstraction is poetry. It opened on August 10 and runs through August 25, 2024. This thought-provoking collection of artworks invites viewers to engage with and question the intersections of perception and reality through a series of contemporary artworks.
Expansion of artistic questions
Art becomes a lens through which we can express and examine our own acceptance of reality—whether through resignation or passionate exploration. The works on display encourage us to dig deeper into the fine line between resignation and resilience. These artistic interrogations capture the artist’s own self-reflection in the universal human experience of truths that cannot be changed. What can art be if not a vessel of interpretation? The interrogation lies not in the form, but in the soul of the artist. The absence of concrete forms in abstract artworks invites the viewer to interpret their own experiences and understanding of our surroundings. Each artwork serves as a catalyst for self-reflection, inviting the viewer to question their own beliefs about control, fate, and acceptance.
“It is what it is” – A reflection on the inner nature of life
As life is defined as unchanging and we, imperfect beings, continue to cling to our indulgence, art provides space to engage and reflect on the unchanging elements of our world and our responses to it. Art has always been about understanding the world around us. These artists use their craft to express the tension between what is beyond our control and the way we deal with it. The exhibition goes through the process of understanding and reconciling with what cannot be changed, exploring the ways in which abstract art can reflect and challenge our perception of reality. How can we understand this inevitability?
Art connects heart and hands
“It is what it is” – a statement that implies passive acceptance without resistance, something that seemingly means accepting situations as they are, rather than as they could be. Art serves as a vessel that allows for acceptance and questioning. By engaging with deeper philosophical questions, art offers unique perspectives and answers to what we understand to be inevitable. The call for introspection is a form of acceptance, and creation itself is resignation to the craft. The abstract nature of the pieces and the concrete reality of their form invite viewers to engage with and respond to the works. We put so much of ourselves into what we make and how it makes us feel.
Poetic abstractions
Life as we know it is defined by the challenges and obstacles we encounter throughout life. Through art, the complexity of being – from simultaneous feelings of satisfaction and frustration – takes shape in abstract pieces. Guided by dark hues and clean lines, we are invited to look within ourselves and create a meaningful dialogue in these artistic expressions.
Participating artists include Dave Lock, Erik Sausa, Frank Nobleza, Jonathan Benitez, Lester Amacio, Peter James Fantinalgo and Ross Kim Almendras.
Here is just a selection of the artworks in this exhibition: (Click on the arrow to view the artwork)
The works of art are displayed on the walls of the gallery without artist names and captions, as is done in museums abroad.
To learn more about the exhibition, visit: https://imahica.art/exhibition/es-ist-was-es-ist/
About Imahica Art:
https://imahica.art/about-imahica-art-gallery-philippines
