Leave the responsible adult out the door, and reconnect with that inner child as you let loose in Space Encounters Gallery’s latest exhibits this November.
Take a peek into the whimsical world of Terence “TRNZ” Eduarte as he stages Fancy Your Chances, a show that’s all about taking risks and rolling with everything that comes with such uncertainties. TRNZ, a Fine Arts alumnus of the University of Santo Tomas, spent six years in the advertising industry before pursuing visual arts full time. Animé has a big influence on his work—huge eyes, exaggerated expressions, and vivid hues are a constant part of his signature creations. Not one to box himself in just a single medium, TRNZ plays around with multiple materials that lend more interest in his body of work. Characters envisioned from his mind come to life in the form of paintings, art installations, and even toys. He says of his craft, “There’s a saying that ‘the only way to get ahead in life is to take risks,’ so I’m betting everything on this universe I created and rolling with it.”
Meanwhile, Lean Reboja is all about channeling the artist’s inner turmoil onto the canvas. Wild Child showcases a bevy of curious characters and metaphorical figures in popping hues—it’s like walking into a museum of meticulously curated eccentric creatures. “Tendencies 101,” Reboja’s favorite piece in the exhibit, attests to his dedication, consistency, and unbridled creativity; this work is comprised of 101 images—some of which are familiar icons reimagined in cheeky and humorous ways—that will definitely tickle the viewers’ imagination. Wild Child, says this Fine Arts major from the University of the Philippines-Cebu, is an ongoing yearly project of his since 2016. It serves to temper “thoughts, impulsive actions, and constant drive through sheer volume of artworks.”
Juvenile characters are at the crux of Martkills’s narratives. A fan of popular iconography, this young artist does not shy away from experimenting with other media aside from the canvas. At times, Martkills brings his paintings to life by creating toy versions of his protagonists. In Kill Joy, he paradoxically puts the spotlight on “images and icons that symbolize and narrate the things that make people happy—the simplicity of life.” “The Gathering,” for instance, is a whimsical get- together of the characters he chose to populate his body of work. “It is where all of them are present, and they somewhat represent people from different walks of life, cherishing the moment together,” relates Martkills.
Rounding up these back-to-back solo exhibits is Mark “KDLT” Copino’s Articulated Madness and Infinite Nothingness, a show that hearkens back to childhood adventures. These “salvaged
memories,” as KDLT describes, are also a reflection of everyone else’s childhood recollections. KDLT’s minimal contemporary stencil art, which evolved from street art, juxtaposes solid geometrical shapes and colors with nostalgic vignettes. His son Elias serves as his main subject, and is also the focal figure that mirrors KDLT’s experiences. He adds, “He symbolizes that innocence I once had as a kid.” Ultimately, Articulated Madness and Infinite Nothingness aims to reflect back that same wide-eyed wonder everyone of us had before adulthood changed us.
Anchoring these playful exhibits is the arcade-inspired interiors of Space Encounters Gallery. True to its credo of making art more experiential and inclusive, guests are invited to fully immerse themselves in the interactive setup (complete with arcade games) while exploring the fantastical worlds created by TRNZ, Reboja, Martkills, and KDLT. Then perhaps, once these exhibits are over, that inner child will have finally found its voice again.
Catch the opening of Fancy Your Chances, Wild Child, Kill Joy, and Articulated Madness and Infinite Nothingness on November 21, 2019 at 6pm. These exhibits run until December 13, 2019. Space Encounters Gallery
You may also log on to gallery.spaceencounters.net. is located at Unit 7D, 7/F Padilla Building, F. Ortigas Jr. Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. The gallery is open from Tuesdays to Fridays, 10am to 6pm, and on Saturdays by appointment. Email spacegallery.info@gmail.com or call 0917-7956739 for inquiries.
Email spacegallery.info@gmail.com or call 0917-7956739 for inquiries.