Living Nebulae

The essence of life comes from its seemingly random ability to upend the cold precisions and calculations of the universe. In a way, it is a small miracle that life – with all its impossibilities – can spring forth to disrupt the clockwork of the cosmos. Visually, it would make a spectacular rendering—a kaleidoscopic nebula swirl against the darkness of the void.

Painter Ombok Villamor imagines the visual potential of this idea in his series of organic abstract paintings that depict the spontaneity of life. His paintings examine the minutiae of forms in different abstract permutations to create canvases that resonate with energy and verve.

For his latest exhibition, Living Nebulae, he examines the concepts of life as celestial bodies, in organic forms that meditate on the spiritual dimensions of life as contrasted against the coldness of space. The exhibit runs at Galleria Nicolas at Ayala Center in Makati from May 9-18 and will continue his series of life forms, but this time from the vantage point of the ether.

Galleria Nicolas is located at the Third Floor Art Space in Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City. For more information, please call (632) 625-0273, or email info@gallerianicolas.com.

Rustom Cleofe “Ombok” Villamor (b. 1979), is a product of North West Samar State University, where he graduated with a degree in Architecture. A professional graphic artist, Ombok has gained recognition from a variety of award-giving bodies, including being a Finalist in the Non-Representational Category at the 2015 GSIS Art Competition, and a Semi-Finalist in the Oil Category of the 2002 ArtPetron National Student Art Competition. A proud Visayan, his works have been included in the prestigious VIVA EXCON Biennale in Bohol and Bacolod.

Villamor uses empty space to contrast dynamic forms, which was inspired by a childhood affinity for the depths of the sea. Mastering these forms, he has experimented on their placements against a variety of fields. In this exhibition, against the backdrop of spatial void, his forms resemble galactic fields—one can imagine the formation of the Milky Way galaxy in his works. Rendering in monochrome black and white only heightens the perception of dynamic interplay, bringing a sense of movement in each painting.

It is becoming increasingly clear that the scope and reach of Villamor’s practice will lead him to one-day becoming one of the definitive abstractionists of his generation. In the present though, we are content to let the artist’s remarkable vision of the universe wash over us as a reminder of its vastness.