The painting rhythm of each creator is also different. A monochromatic painting with a relatively simple composition may involve a period of time that you can’t imagine. Recently, Soluna Fine Art presents a solo exhibition “Sanctuary” by Filipino-American contemporary artist Jon Poblador, showcasing a total of 18 artistically iconic minimalist conceptual works. In the process of painting between practice, Poblador pours his devotion to art and silent prayers, allowing viewers to wander between order and disorder.
右：《Agua Fria》 2021 Acrylic on linen over panel 76 x 61 cm
Art has shifted from early representational works to the abstract expressionism of today, undergoing a journey of self-discovery in between. The artist had lived in multiple countries before settling in Hong Kong, a nomadic lifestyle that prevented him from delving deep into his own spiritual world. Eventually, through repeatedly transcribing passages from the Bible, he found peace within himself.
The power of religion allows his brush to be infused with faith, Poblador describes his creative process as slow and time-consuming, with long periods of focus turning painting into a meditative process for him. In a continuous state of trance, painting has also become a form of self-healing. Poblador says, “I like to get close to the brush and observe the delicate process of applying paint, this is part of focus and meditation and it captivates me. So it’s not about patience, it’s about love.”
右：《Nockamixon》 2019 Acrylic on linen over panel 76 x 61 cm
右：《Shipaicun》 2021 Acrylic on linen over panel 61 x 51 cm
In the current works, repetitive geometric patterns such as circles, triangles, rectangles, and grids have become the main focus of the artist’s creation. For the artist, the grid he most commonly uses is not a limitation, but rather provides him with an artistic space. His canvas is like a “sanctuary,” expressing the infinite possibilities of the two-dimensional world through subtle differences between the grids, from order to disorder, from perfection to imperfection.
右：《South Dakota》2021 Acrylic on linen over panel 40.5 x 51 cm
In addition to focusing on the process aspect, artists often simplify their color palette to a single primary color based on their intuition from places they have visited, such as Playa del Carmen in Mexico, the Salt River in the United States, and South Dakota. At the same time, by using timeless primary colors and black and white, they hope to not disturb the viewers’ perspectives on their work, unaffected by external interpretations, simply experiencing the power of the artwork.
Feel free to visit the exhibition, you might find a sense of inner peace from the artist’s work.
“Sanctuary Exhibition”
Date: May 19 to June 25, 2022 (Closed on Sundays and Mondays)
Time: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Location: 52 Sai Street, Sheung Wan, Soluna Fine Art
Image source and learn more: Soluna Fine Art
