Celestial Sojourn

His skies create a living vocabulary of expressive motion that springs directly from emotions with a highly visceral spirit. For his solo show Celestial Sojourn, Nelson Castillo documents movement while organizing layers of his well-known ethos of distinctly-painted miniature birds, and breaking apart its quotidian actions of flight.

Celestial Sojourn investigates the wandering nature of birds, juxtaposing it with the consciousness of a drifting individual apparent in our culture today – a character that exists both inside and outside the conventional traditions and venues. The artist’s works are conduits for analyzing the human consciousness: specifically, one’s search of meaning and purpose by embarking on a journey, literally and figuratively.

Castillo’s works in Celestial Sojourn elicit answers while perceptively expands boundaries of what can be considered to be in the domain of moving or leaving.

Nelson Castillo is an internationally renowned Filipino-American artist who began painting miniatures in 1968. He was noted as the “Father of Miniature Painting” in the Philippines in 1979. His paintings grace prestigious hotels like the Manila Peninsula, Philippine Village, Holiday Inn, Hilton and the Silahis Hotel. He was honored with the “Artist of the Year” award at the Virgo Awards last November 2000, Pamana Awards last October 2002, and Reflections XIV on November 2002 in California. Currently, he has more than 100 awards and recognitions from different local and national art competitions.

Celestial Sojourn will be on view simultaneously at Galerie Raphael Shangri-la and Galerie Raphael Serendra from April 24 – May 4, 2018 with the Artist Reception scheduled for Tuesday, April 24, 6PM at Galerie Raphael Shangri-la.

Galerie Raphael Shangri-la is located at Level 4, Main Wing Shangri-La Plaza Mall, EDSA cor. Shaw Blvd. Mandaluyong City and Galerie Raphael Serendra is at the Second Level, The Piazza Serendra Mall, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. For inquiries, contact Galerie Raphael Shangri-la at +63 (2) 941-6194 or email shang@galerieraphael.com.ph; or contact Galerie Raphael Serendra at +63 (2) 856-3034 or email info@galeriejoaquin.com.