Art as clarion call ‘to stand for what is just’
In his exhibit last year, visual artist Jeho Bitancor depicted fishermen and their families braving the dangers of the sea (“dalampasigan at daluyong”) in a struggle for survival. Nature was threatening, and tension was in the air.
Now, in his latest solo show (at Altro Mondo Creative Space, 1159 Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City until Oct. 12), Bitancor, who hails from Baler, Aurora, opts for a larger vista. His gallery of characters, no longer drawn realistically, has included, as he puts it, “all—citizens, allusions to politics, corruption, etc.”
His quasi-surrealism and social protest have morphed into something more symbolic and mythical, the metaphorical and expressionist swinging into wilder surrealism.
There are 10 large paintings, all oil on canvas. The meaning is not always clear, for the paintings demand your full attention. It was a good thing the artist was there to answer some of my questions. The real art critics will enjoy analyzing these pieces.
Fighting for power
A clue can be found in the exhibit’s title: “Pangil sa Pakpak” (Fanged Wings).
In “Tagahasik ng Lagim,” a masked human rhinoceros, looking like a caveman, red necktie flying in the wind and carrying a magistrate’s gavel filled with thorns, stalks a burnt patch of earth. Inside are what I thought were cowering victims but no, they were actually blind followers supporting the beast.
Well, if you’re thinking of the political scene today, that’s entirely your prerogative.
“Tangan ang Yaman” shows a fisherman in the tentacles of an octopus, bearing away his daughter to safety. The girl is holding on to corals and is surrounded by seaweeds, trying to protect the bounty from the sea.
In “Agawan sa Trono,” a nude couple seemingly from Hades is shown fighting for power in a crumbling kingdom, with coins flying all over the place, signifying stolen wealth.
In “Sabwatan ng mga Sukab,” we see the attack dogs of politicians, real snarling dogs with epaulettes (identifying them as military). Again, there are coins all over the place, a powerful woman with the tentacles of a squid as her face.
Hope, too
“Muling Pagsibol” strikes a positive note. Bitancor may be an apostle of social protest, but apparently the US-based artist has not given up hope for his home country. In this painting, we see people surrounded by seedlings, birds, seashells, corals, and dragonfly wings.
In his artist’s statement, Bitancor declares: “This exhibition affirms that to stand for what is just is to honor our humanity. There is grace in an open hand, hope in a shared smile, and strength in shoulders that bear the weight together.”
Bitancor is a thinking, feeling artist.
