10 December 2014 - A solo art exhibition entitled, “A Nation of Ulysses,” that opened by Artesan Gallery + Studio at the Art Space, 222 Queen Street, Singapore, on December 03, culminated another successful run of the annual Philippine Art Trek in Singapore.
Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Antonio A. Morales headed a throng of officials and personnel of the Philippine Embassy, the expatriate Filipino community, as well patrons of the arts, in gracing the event.
The artist Victor Balanon was born in 1972 in Manila, Philippines. He initially took up Dental Medicine at the University of the East in 1989 but left school a year short of finishing his studies, choosing to pursue and develop his interest in art.
Mr. Balanon is a self-taught artist and has worked as an illustrator creating artworks for film, independent comics and underground music labels. He studied film and animation at the Mowelfund Film Institute producing two animated short films as a result. During this time he has also created a self-published comic-book anthology and started working on his serialized pen and ink drawings.
His background has taught him to be well-versed in the field of video art and animated content. His artworks are collected by the Singapore Art Museum.
A Nation of Ulysses, which is Mr. Balanon’s third solo show presented by Artesan Gallery + Studio, follows the rhythm of James Joyce’s Ulysses and of Homer’s epic poem, “The Odyssey.” The exhibit takes viewers to a visual journey through the compartments of the artist’s novelistic stream of consciousness, each painting giving to his unorthodox style of storytelling. His monochromatic approach harkens of an era of nostalgic introspection, suggesting how society was more thoughtful – and how people used to languish at the long forgotten scenes that are portrayed in his works.
Following its tradition, this year’s Philippine Art Trek showcased the works of Filipino artists in six solo and group exhibitions in five galleries in Singapore.
In his rounds during the opening of the various exhibits, Ambassador Morales conveyed the gratitude of the Philippine Embassy to the artists, gallery owners, members of the Filipino community and more importantly, the art patrons and collectors for their consistent support that has strengthened the initiative over the years. END