Divine Comedy

Acclaimed Galerie Joaquin artist Jomar Delluba reenters the scene with a taste for the divine and a penchant for mischief. “Divine Comedy”, his latest solo exhibition, is a visual odyssey traversing the realms of existence–from earthy delights to elysian paradise, yet residing between such realms results in surreal imagery saturated with charm and playfulness, a kind of world-building that the artist has been confidently navigating throughout his career.

The modern objects present in Delluba’s works represent our physical desires, the sensory indulgences that anchor us to the material world, capturing moments of joy, sensuality, and the pursuit of pleasure. These earthly pleasures are vivid and tangible, rooted in the present moment, filled with both gratification and excess. On the other hand, the characters involved evoke a sense of ethereal tranquility and divine harmony, a metaphorical figure that represents a state of enlightenment, peace, and fulfillment, speaking to the pursuit of higher meaning, spiritual fulfillment, and inner peace—an existence freed from the tumult and imperfections of the material world.

Each painting reflects the duality of human nature: the hedonistic pursuit of pleasure juxtaposed with the eternal search for meaning and bliss. The raw, vivid hues of earthly joys merge with heavenly visions, illustrating a marvelous transition from indulgence to enlightenment, from chaos to calm. Together, these realms form the continuum of human existence, a journey between the visceral and the divine, between the temptation of worldly pleasures and the profound quest for transcendence. This duality is at the heart of the human experience, where we navigate between earthly attachments and spiritual aspirations, seeking a balance that elevates us toward a higher state of being.

From his roots in Pangil, Laguna, Jomar Delluba has established a steadfast collector base with his skillfully executed pop surrealist style. The artist’s ventures into the realms of realism and abstraction have served to add to his visual vocabulary and eclectic style.

Informed by lowbrow and populist predecessors, Delluba deftly juggles humor and austerity, skill and levity, canon and kitsch, to subvert the art aficionados’ demand for consistent novelty. With well-received solo exhibits and international clientele such as in Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong, Delluba has risen to prominence with a diverse style and evolutionary vision.

“Divine Comedy” by Jomar Delluba will be on view from January 14 to 25, 2025 at Galleria Nicolas Alabang Town Center. The gallery is located on the 2279 Upper Ground Level, Alabang Town Center, Alabang–Zapote Road, Muntinlupa City. For inquiries, contact +63 917 643 6282 or email info@gallerianicolas.com.