Accompanied by a certificate signed by the artist confirming the authenticity of this lot

ABOUT THE WORK

The works of critically acclaimed contemporary artist Mark Justiniani revolve around the unique synthesis of fantasy and social realism that unearths the irrefutable truths of our existence and our society's ever-changing, often volatile, identity. Justiniani's early paintings boldly depict the palpable realities of Philippine society, often in a comical approach. However, after returning to the Philippines after living in the United States during the first half of the 2000s, his works shifted to a "scientific inquiry into the nature of representing reality." In Panawagan, Justiniani depicts an angel-like human holding a seashell. The artist illustrates the juxtaposition between us, humans, and these heavenly entities. While Christian art depicts angels using seashells as instruments to proclaim the majesty of the Almighty, Justiniani does the antithesis. He portrays a human humbly summoning the presence of the Creator and asking to fulfill his burning desires for a better life. The artist shows the contrast between the mundane and the supernatural and how this contradiction stresses the need to amplify the people's continuous calls for the promises of an ideal earthly life. As Justiniani continues to produce an iconography thriving with shrewdness and acuity, he combines his fascination with the mystical with his faith in the potent force of humanity.