Traces of Memory

The Italian poet Cesare Paveste once wrote that we don’t remember days, but we do remember moments. Sometimes, you will never know the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory. And the strongest moments that we have are the ones we spend with our families. Our experiences with our family – the joy, the pain, the laughter, and the tears – form the foundations of who we are. Our memories with them echo through our lives, and we can trace our very being to these moments.

The idea of tying memory and family together is tackled by folk-narrative painter Alexander Jorge “Aljo” Pingol in his latest exhibition, “Traces of Memory.” Building on his increasing profile, Pingol uses his sense of classical composition to evoke nostalgic scenes of the Filipino family. His aesthetic, referencing the likes of Franco-Russian Modernist Marc Chagall, demonstrates a myriad of styles and movements, from surrealism to primitivism, to a naïf sense of the idyll.

“Traces of Memory” will run from September 1-6 and will have an artist reception on Thursday, September 3, 6 p.m. at the Atrium of The Podium Mall, along ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City before transferring to Galerie Raphael, 2nd Floor The Shops Serendra Mall, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City from September 7-14. For more information, please call (632) 634-7954, or visit www.galeriejoaquin.com

A product of the Fine Arts program of the University of Santo Tomas, Aljo Pingol takes his considerable experience in illustration, advertising, and animation (having been an animator at the Toonworks Animation House) to bring his folk-figurative subjects to life. His works are a brilliant collection of portraits, landscapes, and genre pieces that are riddled with playful surrealist tendencies and laced with an innocent sense of humor. The artist has been recognized numerous times for his work, including placing second in Nuclear-Free Philippines spot poster competition and first in the Far East Broadcasting Company’s National Christmas Card Painting Competition. He is also a founding member of the Guevarra Group of Artists in San Juan, alongside heavyweights in visual art such as Dominic Rubio and Jerry Morada.

Pingol, being a family man himself, shows that he is capable of capturing the exuberant moments of the family dynamic. His works show classic compositions such as that of a mother and child and rural scenes that depict happy family moments in a bright and colorful way.

A truly wonderful way to celebrate family, “Traces of Memory” is a fine addition to the growing oeuvre of Aljo Pingol.