Christ is Pinoy! He lives among the street children, the homeless families, the scavengers in the dump site, among the prisoners and even the lawless. Aren't we taught that Christ is omnipresence? Joey Velasco, a 41 year old artist captured Him in his canvass in his recent exhibit at the Glorietta 4.
Joey Velasco, as written in the literature accompanying his works had a major kidney operation in January 2005 which made him wheelchair-bound for sometime. Although he knew that he has the talent to paint, it was only after his operation that he went full blast in his craft “through the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit” hence the subjects of his artworks. Previously, he worked with other mediums and techniques like casting and kilning while working in carpentry shops in Pampanga and Laguna. In his recent works, he used oil on canvass.
It was actually my friend Enrika who “accidentally” discovered this exhibit while looking for a dining place during her lunch break from work. She becomes an instant fan and encourages me also to see the exhibit. So we went to see it last Saturday, September 27, 2008. Instantly, I was gripped by the powerful images of Velasco's paintings.
The artist is influenced by classical expressionist artists like Caravaggio. He used light and shade (chiaroscuro) to heighten the emotion of his subjects. In almost all his paintings, his subject matter is Christ among the unfortunate people. He re-created famous paintings like the “Last Supper” and gave it a Filipino color. The biblical characters become Pinoy street children in “Hapag Ng Pag-asa”
Christ become the comforter of the downtrodden just like the youth who was wrongly accused and imprisoned in the following work entitled “Hilumin Mo” (Heal Me) according to the artist, he take inspiration from true characters just like an innocent friend who was accused of a crime he did not commit).
The artist even re-created Christ's humble birth in the painting entitled “Manunubos' (Redeemer). The Child Christ is depicted here to have been born in a dumpsite with the scavengers as witnesses.
Velasco presents his subjects in theatrical manner. Each frame feels like they're lifted from a beautiful movie with its composition; the actors blocking, props, lights, set design or mis-en-scene.
The exhibit is actually for the benefit of “Gawad Kalinga” and other worthwhile projects of the Salesian Mission. The exhibit only runs up to September 30 but you can contact them at 8133820.
