ABOUT THE WORK

Lao Lianben’s minimalist yet evocative paintings are a wellspring of Oriental inspiration. His monochromatic compositions display a meditational feel and a refined aesthetic inspired by the brushwork of expressionist calligraphy. His creations elegantly capture the essential in a clutter-free canvas. Creating textured monochrome paintings for over 40 years, Lao Lianben is an acknowledged master of Philippine non-representative art. The daily wonders of the world ignite him: the creases of the web and the cracks of the pottery. His paintings though minimalist are evocative translations of these deceptively mundane inspirations. Titled Buddhist Television, the work translates into Lao’s characteristic abstraction a mind in meditation. Surrounded by thousands of cracks that represent the rain. The ripples of the pond caused by the rain are reflections of the people’s aspirations. These aspirations are viewed by the Buddhist monk through the television in the middle that translates into a fishpond. An amazing effortless grace inhabits Lao’s paintings, brought about by nothing less than hard work, zealous dedication, and the patient accumulation of infinitesimal amounts. Yet before this accumulation becomes too serious, it turns into creative repetition, much like child’s play. But this time with a difference, for this child’s play culminates in a reflective spontaneity, a second naiveté. Thus, one is gifted with a veritable feast for thought. In a way, Lao’s Buddhist Television is a reminder to practice mindfulness in a everhectic and chaotic world.