Provenance: Mo Space

ABOUT THE WORK

L ouie Cordero is a Filipino artist noted for his unique and thought-provoking artworks. His art reflects a blend of various influences, ranging from pop culture to traditional Filipino imagery, and it explores themes such as social issues and the human condition. In the White Emptiness of a Liberated Nothing (Anatomy of the Tropics), the contemporary artist shows his distinctive approach to art-making that involves mixing elements of cartoonish and grotesque styles. At plain sight, it appears like a weird abstract rendition of a tropical island, but upon closer inspection, one will notice a pair of feet, a brain, breasts, and then more. This acrylic painting, as the title suggests, is indeed a depiction of the anatomy of the tropics, done in the Cordero flair. Furthermore, in relation to this piece, the artist biography of Louie Cordero on Widewalls provided an interesting insight as to what makes his art one of a kind. “The Philippines are a set of islands with many different dialects and traditions that were divided for a very long time between different imperial colonial forces - this played a major role in the development of this country’s artistic diversity,” it writes, and “when observed from that perspective, Louie Cordero’s art is a perfect example of how unique someone’s work can be when developed in such an environment that supports diverse and varied creative vocabularies.” One of Cordero’s notable series is the one titled “Head.” There, he created sculptures of exaggerated and distorted human heads, it is said to challenge the traditional notions of beauty and provoke discussions about societal norms. In addition to that series, Cordero has also explored other themes, such as political corruption, consumerism, and the impact of technology on society. Overall, his works are as well known to contain a dark and satirical humor, inviting viewers to contemplate deeper societal and personal issues. A Manila-based artist, Cordero has been around the world, exhibiting his works in galleries and museums both here and abroad. (Isabella Romarate)