Open Arms

Going through the motions of life, one becomes intimately aware of the innate hardships that accompany its many moments. From childhood to adulthood, these uncertainties necessitate personal decisions despite the strong and sometimes overwhelming emotions that arise with them.

Acknowledging this, visual artist Haraya Tejido believes that each individual has the capacity to find joy and respite amid adversity. She states, “There will be some instances to balance off these situations, and we freely take them in with a light heart.” This is the graciousness granted by open acceptance of life’s circumstances.

For her latest exhibition, Haraya Tejido was inspired by the idea of this acceptance deeming it the key to finding inner peace and restorative balance in day-to-day life. “Open Arms” features a series of the artist’s signature stylized florals. The upward directionality of a flower’s growth, openly basking in the Sun’s nourishing rays, suggests an element of surrender. The outspread leaves and petals openly and graciously accept the life-giving light. This is while allowing space for neighboring blooms, not compromising other’s opportunities to grow and flower.

These themes are furthered by graphic gem-like forms superimposed upon the backgrounds of flowing lines and color. Haraya states, “These signify the precious nature of finding one’s balance when one learns to let the positive attributes in and the negative vibes out, therefore accepting what this wonderful life has to offer—with open arms.”

“Open Arms” is Haraya Tejido’s invitation to her viewers to learn how to live life graciously and with balance. It is a refreshing reminder that life’s challenges can always be taken with grace, one only needs to surrender to the moment to find the joy within the everyday.

Haraya Corazon Ocampo Tejido (b.1981) received her Marketing Management degree from the De La Salle University Manila in 2002. She unofficially started her art practice back in 2009 as a studio apprentice for visual artist Jomike Tejido, her spouse. Working on several pieces every month helped Haraya hone her skills, “as if it were art classes conveniently situated in our home studio” she narrates. In 2021, after more than a decade of working as an apprentice, Haraya ventured signing her own pieces that reflect her personal interests. Incidentally, opportunities for group shows arose, and from these foundations, her latest works have come to bloom.

Haraya describes her oeuvre as whimsical and stylized. Inspired by the beauty of nature, her flowers are graphical depictions of their real counterparts, intentionally shedding itself from the bounds of realism with her signature essential forms and uplifting color schemes. She intends for these blooms to serve as sources of strength, as well as provide healing refuge for one's eyes can rest. In connection to nature, motherhood encapsulated the context and point of view of Haraya’s credibility as a painter. Her use of a bright color palette and soft brushstrokes juxtapose a mother’s affectionate gaze with a child’s earnest expression.

“Open Arms” by Haraya Ocampo-Tejido runs from May 18 – 27, 2024, with the Artist Reception on May 18, Saturday at 5 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.