Provenance: Provenance: Finale Art File, Makati

ABOUT THE WORK

Contemporary artist Robert Langenegger, one of the recipients of the CCP Thirteen Artists Award in 2012, shows varied themes in his works, from capitalism and corruption to forms of selfishness and sexual depravity and harassment that pervade modern life. His aesthetic combines cartoonish and satirical features, and he frequently revisits the oeuvres of political allegorists in the artistic canon such as Goya and Honore Daumier. He would also make allusions and references to contemporary figures like political satirist Robert Crumb and modernist painter Phillip Guston. Langenegger’s works are universal in such a way that they further reveal the implications of consumerism, racism, and organized religion. His works and one-man shows often have humorous titles as well; rambling undertones are reflected both in the titles and in his heavily laden paintings featuring social issues in the country, specifically Manila. This featured piece has a witty title—a did-you-know question with a fun-fact tone about male pandas, but it makes the viewers think of a pressing social issue. Here, Langenegger confronts the dark side of the human condition, showcasing his brand of socio-political satire.