Provenance: Private Collection, Manila

ABOUT THE WORK

In the face of the art world’s current penchant for the interactive, installation, video and photographic media, Borlongan has remained unwavering in his passion about the world of the street smart every-man. His work has undergone regular and dramatic transformations as he seeks answers to the purpose and direction of art while staying true to his themes. Hari Sonik, encapsulates one of Borlongan’s distinct Pinoy every-man that populate his paintings and give a vivid view of everyday Pinoy life. One aspect of this, the Pinoy’s love of music is the focus of the toy Hari Sonik. Borlongan’s work has a deadpan irony verging on whimsy, and a handmade ‘artsy craftiness; that sets him well outside the mainstream of the social realist movement. Hari Sonik is freaky looking yet he represents what most Pinoys love and celebrate — music. And I love the name. Sounds so like a Pinoy joke. And no, the speakers don’t work. It’s art.