Provenance: West Gallery, Quezon City

Exhibited: West Gallery, Mark Andy Garcia: To Live, Quezon City,
June 25 - July 25, 2020

ABOUT THE WORK

Over time, the artist and his oeuvres evolve. The earlier works of Mark Andy Garcia are reflective of his time abroad as a neophyte painter refining his craft. And, upon his return to his homeland, he was met with tragedy and crisis. However, after the brazen and anxious beginnings, there is fruition. As more time went by, his paintings grew in brightness. The process is maintained, but there are conscious changes in structure and substantiation. Life of an Artist I pay homage to Vincent van Gogh and his sunflowers. In their depictions of sunflowers, Garcia and van Gogh share a love of light and colors that convey specific attitudes. The oil painting at hand is included in the To Live exhibition of Garcia, which was described as “a peaceful strain.” The works in the show are made of generous layers of oil paint, and their rich visual texture emerges through thin and thick strokes, back and forth on the other. Indeed, the artist has grown in self-assurance, drawing and painting lightly, even when he is emotionally inspired. (P.I.R.)