The Greatness of Simplicity

Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt presents the latest solo exhibition of Kenneth Montegrande, entitled “The Greatness of Simplicity”, where the artist brings to his audience the surprising output of more than three years of internal sublimation – Montegrande’s minimalist series. The product of introspection after a life-threatening battle with COVID-19 in 2021, the minimalist series can be understood to be the current expression of the artist’s spirituality, a faith that is so deeply rooted it results to a clarity that allows for the enjoyment of the grace that is daily life; the next step to his earlier works that highlighted awe and the sublime, which reflected more his surrender to the Divine and immediate gratitude for surviving the ordeal.

Kenneth Montegrande has for over two decades been known for his explosive abstract expressionist works and dramatic, high-contrast sea-and-cloudscapes. In “The Greatness of Simplicity”, the celebrated artist eschews the highly active even manic approach of his gestural abstraction for its placid opposite of subtle minimalism, resulting to 16 elegant minimalist abstracts that transmit ethereal lightness as opposed to the grounded solidity of earlier works, and 10 serene cloudscapes more akin to calmer rhythms of a pastorale as opposed to heroic and overwhelming symphonic sea-and-cloudscapes of his recent works.

Montegrande’s minimalist works in both the abstract and cloudscape series make use of a calmer analogous palette of near tonal value, highlighted with a bright accent of white, yellow, powder blue, or pastel ranges of secondary colors like orange and green. Primary reds, and other active colors found in earlier works are not used to give a more contemplative mood for the works. Consistent heavy impasto has given way to a thin layer of paint made translucent through a dry brush technique highlighted with touches of impasto in both his abstracts and cloudscapes. Through Montegrande’s more minimal, more refined approach, the affinities of his cloudscapes to his abstract works are more obvious as both show the basic composition of most of his works – a low horizon of heavier hues that builds up to brighter, lighter colors in the center and upper thirds of the canvas. Half of the cloudscapes appear brighter; particularly the impressionistic landscapes that are distinct for the presence of green in the palette, stressing for Montegrande the brighter and lighter side of life. While the other half is consistent with his more known cloudscapes that focus on chiaroscuro, stressing how darkness heightens light, which, for Montegrande, is how he finds the constant presence of the divine during times of tribulation. Showing more maturity, self-assuredness, and restraint, the works retain their dynamic qualities despite letting go of the feverish urgency of earlier works. These minimalist works show more consideration, and yet remain fresh as a new day. Indeed in this exhibition, and in his new minimalist style, Montegrande has succeeded in showing the greatness in simplicity. His works from his minimalist style provide a soothing balm to the over stimulus we encounter in daily life and remind us of the joy in gratitude for simply living.

Kenneth Montegrande (b. 1979) is a self-taught Filipino abstract painter with the distinction of being the first Southeast Asian artist whose works have been collected by Japanese billionaire and distinguished art collector Yusaku Maezawa, and whose works are included in the Tokyo-based Contemporary Art Foundation. In that collection, his work is in the company of a world record-breaking Basquiat, as well as select works of internationally renowned artists like Bruce Nauman and Alexander Calder. He also has the distinction of having two of his works as part of the permanent collection of the Malacañang Palace Museum and Library. Last November 2023, he had an international solo exhibition at the historical Hongkong Visual Art Centre wherein National Artist Benedicto Cabrera (Bencab) was a Guest of Honor.

“The Greatness of Simplicity”, by Kenneth Montegrande will be on view at Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt from February 23-March 3, 2024 with the Artist Reception on Friday, February 23, 2024 at 5:00 PM. Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt is located at 3F, Greenbelt 5, Legazpi Street, Makati City. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas at +63 936 225 1226 or email gallerianicolasgreenbelt@gmail.com.