Exhibited: Philip Morris Philippine Art Awards, 2003

ABOUT THE WORK

Multi-awarded Filipino contemporary visual artist Rodel Tapaya is widely acclaimed for his surrealistic depictions of Philippine myths and cultural history in his works that serve as piercing commentaries on social issues and present-day realities. This particular minimalist piece may be far from Tapaya’s usual symbol laden narrative pieces with diverse allegorical references yet his masterful ability to convey universally relevant themes with few elements is notable. The typewriter as a subject itself, for example, symbolizes expression. This is a timely piece in the current times— in the collective efforts to uphold the freedom of expression— reminding us that forgetfulness in its significance will lead to our own undoing. Tapaya studied painting and drawing at the University of the Philippines, Parsons School of Design in New York City, and University of Art and Design in Helsinki. Since 2004, he has held many solo exhibits in the country and abroad. In 2011, he won the Grand Prize of the APB Foundation Signature Art Prize.