Into the Wild

“In times of strife, art offers solace and sanctuary. Whether through creation or consumption, it provides a refuge from the chaos of the world. We, artists, channel their emotions onto canvas, woods, marbles, paper, or stage, transforming pain into beauty, fear into courage, and despair into hope.” – Jerry Morada

Seasoned artist Jerry Morada’s keen fascination with animals and wildlife is integral to his spiritual beliefs. His latest exhibit is a prime exultation of such, as he demonstrates his honed skill in manipulating marble, a medium of intense complexity, and transforming it into exquisite pieces that symbolize the virtues of coexistence among man, nature, and wildlife.

Into the Wild is a culmination of Morada’s passion for the magnificent creatures who coinhabit our world. Every animal is deemed symbolic, believed to possess qualities akin to philosophical, mythical, and psychological states. “The sculptures I create focus on human psychology, stripped of rationalization and context, and articulated through animal and human forms,” Morada shares.

With this, each artistic facet is a deliberate choice – Morada’s striking colors juxtapose the animal’s natural behavior and character, giving a nuanced narrative to his creations. The animal’s stance is also nuanced – at times natural, feral, or playful, but ultimately dignified. He expounds on this as he states: “These figures are simply feral and domestic individuals suspended in a moment of tension. Beneath the surface, they embody the consequences of human fear, excitement, apathy, anger, and aggression.”

Morada’s morale for this exhibit intends to parallel an animal’s behavior to that of a human’s, prying to explore the complexities between man and creature, conscious and unconscious, rational and instinctive. Further, his sculptures evoke a profound reflection on the shared emotional and psychological states of both species, seeking an undeterred connection with the profound creatures.

About the Artist

Jerry Morada (b.1979) graduated from the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts and made a name for himself as an emerging contemporary artist. He began his career working as an artist for Probe Productions, Inc., producer of the award-winning “Probe Team”. He is among the founders of the Guevarra Group together with Edwin Tres Reyes, Gig de Pio, and Dominic Rubio. Morada took part in Art Expo Malaysia 2009 under Galerie Joaquin’s booth. In 2014, he won the GSIS Prize in Sculpture.

To date, Jerry Morada has always sought to fuse elements of abstraction and figuration in an engrossing configuration of texture, color and composition in his body of work.

“Into the Wild” by Jerry Morada will be on view at Galerie Raphael Robinsons Magnolia from July 17 – 28, 2024. Galerie Raphael Robinsons Magnolia is located at Unit 311 Level 3, Robinsons Magnolia Aurora Blvd, corner Doña Hemady St. New Manila, Quezon City. For inquiries, contact +63 917 582 2115 or email galerieraphaelrobmag@gmail.com.