Where Art Thou? (Exploration of Places and Spaces)

“Where Art Thou? (Exploration of Places and Spaces)” explores the idea of sadness for the desolation of the rural condition as told by visual artist Wilbert Custodio. Custodio begins from the inherent beauty and vibrancy found in a bustling neighborhood forming the basis for a continual source of wonderment for the artist. Places, just like people in Custodio’s world view, experience birth, life, and death. During all three phases, the artist seeks to capture portraits of the physical environment by translating geometry and perceptions, interpolating intersections and contradictions, finding beauty in both designed flawlessness or even an inherent imperfection, and using art as the medium to frame the active life within or the haunting ghosts that remain.

Though much of his work has social content, Wilbert Custodio undeniably paints through an artist’s eye and with unbridled enthusiasm. Technique and meaning are discovered simultaneously by this highly exploratory artist. Viewers may find themselves taking in these abundant visual stimuli faster than what the mind can process. Away to view the work is suggested to relax the muscles of the eyes, and allow the lights and hues to blur together into what could be a beautiful dance of form and color. The artist uses these experiences as fuel for his creative process, aiming to capture and amplify these feelings through the use of oil paint. In a word, it can be said that Custodio’s intention is to distill and highlight the raw essence of the urban experience.

“Where Art Thou? (Exploration of Places and Spaces)” generates a dynamic and visually interesting composition than with any sense of geographical accuracy, Custodio being an artist who seeks personal solace and extracts resiliency from built surroundings.

Wilbert Custodio is a Filipino visual artist hailing from Kalibo, Aklan. He took up Fine Arts from Feati University and has exhibited in various group shows around the metro. Custodio also won the grand prize for the oil on canvas category in the 30th Metrobank Art and Design Excellence (MADE) competition. His works are stark landscapes of poor men’s shanties huddled together, a commentary on the artist’s main concern about poverty and homelessness.

“Where Art Thou? (Exploration of Places and Spaces)” will be on view simultaneously at Galerie Raphael Shangri-la and Galerie Raphael Serendra from July 1 -10, 2019. 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@galerieraphael.com.ph.