Inanimate Inspirations

An age old genre that traces its history across movements, cultures and periods, still life (also known by its French title, nature morte) paintings features as its subject, an arrangement of insentient or inanimate objects. These are not limited to fruit and flowers and household items like glassware and textiles. This type of art was at one time described by Édouard Manet as “the touchstone of painting” with major artists like Paul Cézanne and Pablo Picasso sharing the Impressionist artist‘s view.

In “Inanimate Inspirations”, Xander Calceta continues to use still life as a means to show the fleeting temporality of human existence and as a reflection/window to domestic life. His reimagining of quietly rendered still lifes coupled with a play of light and shadow on his various subjects allows his viewers not only a portrayal of a moment but to literally be in the moment.

Calceta’s intimate take on still lifes pays homage to humble objects, allowing his viewers to see them in a different light. He allows a certain balance and harmony in his pieces which revisit classic themes but stay rooted in his intent to convey a visual dynamism amidst the stasis of his chosen subjects.

Xander Calceta is a self-taught contemporary realist painter/artist whose main medium is oil painting. His versatile approach and art style is contemporary impressionism, which also includes Naturalism to Hyper Realism. He also occasionally does Non-representational paintings and Assemblage arts.

“Inanimate Inspirations” by Xander Calceta will be on view from April 11-22, 2024 with an Artist Meet and Greet on April 14, 3-5 pm at Galleria Nicolas Alabang Town Center. Galleria Nicolas Alabang Town Center is located at the Ground Floor Entrance, Alabang Town Center, Alabang-Zapote Rd., Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa City. For inquiries, contact +639176436282 or email gallerianicolasatc@gmail.com.