Portraits of Us

Aldrino Abes’ works for “Portraits of Us” are characterized by the artist’s experimentation with portraiture, and the human figure.

As a tireless people watcher, Abes is fascinated by both the amazing diversity and fundamental sameness of humans. Portrait painting became the art form by which the artist describes and celebrates the uniqueness of an individual. For Abes, to capture someone with all their complexities has to be one of the most challenging and rewarding undertakings in art. The goal is to collect images and references from these traditions and connect them with the emotions from the present-day, and common experiences.

Abes believes there is such a thing as an imagination shared by the different contemplative traditions. As a visual artist, his attention is drawn to the diverse gamut of emotions a person is capable of evoking with just a glance or with their eyes. From warm and intimate to distant and reserved, the range and degree of human feeling that can be communicated in a single frame inspires Joseph Abes.

“Portraits of Us” intents on posing questions about the timeless themes of truth, reality, and being.

Aldrino Abes (b.1974) came to Manila in 1995 at age 20. He first worked as a sign maker and later apprenticed to painter Carlo Magno, who exposed him to realistic interiors and facades of old houses before his mentor went into abstraction. Abes eventually abandoned this subject and found alternative expression in the rough simplicity of strokes and figures referencing highland ethnic Filipino communities.

“Portraits of Us” by Aldrino Abes will be on view at Galleria Nicolas Ayala Malls Manila Bay from February 4 to 15, 2022. The gallery is located at 2/F, Filipino Village, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Diosdado Macapagal Blvd, Parañaque, respectively. For inquiries, contact +63 917 643 6282, or email gallerianicolasbayarea@gmail.com.