Astudent of modern abstraction, Bernardo Pacquing reinvents the language of abstract art with his oeuvre that is notable for its muted colors and minimalist aesthetic. Instead of exploring the collective unconscious like most abstractionists, he populates a canvas with forms and figures that are familiar, often drawing inspiration from the everyday objects that surround him. As a result, a work of his is filled with subjectivity so that its audience can relate to their own experience and come up with their own meaning. The multi-awarded contemporary artist is vocal about his fascination with modern abstraction’s expressive potential. That being said, it is best to view a Pacquing artwork with consideration to his raw and gritty artistic vision, free from filters. The simplicity of his abstraction tests the limits of creativity by going against the grain, and he encourages other artists to do the same. In 2000, Pacquing was among the selected ones who received the Thirteen Artists Award from the Cultural Center of the Philippines. In 2007, when this piece was made, he held several solo shows titled “Shape Memory” and “Envisage” at the Mag:Net Gallery and “People I Know” at the Finale Art File. He was also included in a group exhibition titled “I Have Nothing To Paint and I’m Painting It” held at Mo_Space in Manila. (P.I.R.)