A master of the classical form in the contemporary age, the oeuvres of Orley Ypon are able to express a sense of depth and detail often attributed to more traditional pieces. A native of Toledo, Cebu, his passion and talent for painting started during his childhood when he did portraits of his friends and family. His practice is often seen as a synthesis of classical and contemporary hyperrealism. Although the adherence to classical techniques is often used to create works that appear to portray beauty as idealistic and utopian, Ypon deviates from this trope by creating stark and unfiltered images of everyday life. He continues to paint scenes from life and culture while studying and becoming aware of modern art styles to help him evolve his accustomed method. (P.I.R.)