Cedrick Dela Paz - Si Juan sa Ikatlong Mundo -5th Solo Exhibition

Si Juan sa Ikatlong Mundo

CEDRICK DELA PAZ

5TH SOLO EXHIBITION

EXHIBITION NOTES

In her landmark book titled Social Realism in the Philippines, the eminent art critic Alice Guillermo writes that social realist art in the Philippines “stresses the choice of contemporary subject matter drawn from the conditions and events of one’s time” and “is essentially based on a keen awareness of conflict.” Guillermo’s statement resonates in the works of contemporary social realist Cedrick dela Paz.

As an artist, Dela Paz says he was influenced by the foremost social realists of our time, including Elmer Borlongan, Mark Justiniani, Emmanuel Garibay, and Antonio Catral Leaño, all of whom comprise the original members of the Salingpusa group of artists.

Alfredo Esquillo and Renato Habulan mentored him under the Tuklas program. Being with and living among the masses is essential to social realism. Dela Paz’s artistry traverses through what Guillermo describes as “the active and practical aspect of integrating with the people who are the subject matter of his work and engaging in the current issues that affect our lives.”

Dela Paz continues to align with this aspect for his fifth solo exhibition. Here, he paints various images of the national personification of the Philippines, Juan dela Cruz—an office worker, jeepney driver, ice cream vendor, electrical lineman, barber, teacher, and tailor—and the various tools with which they perform their functions as members of the society. They are rendered in the artist’s distinct style, which he coined as “Unconventional Figurism.” This style enables Dela Paz to authentically capture and unequivocally expose the harsh realities of ‘Juan dela Cruz’: void of any ‘Pinoy’ pride, downtrodden, enslaved, and distressed by their very sources of living. Under an oppressive system, the masses’ labor is exploited for the benefit of a select few. Labor is not humanizing but dehumanizing.

In these works, Dela Paz draws us to stand with the marginalized. The artist reminds us that Juan dela Cruz lives in every one of us who relentlessly continues to struggle toward genuine emancipation from the yoke of societal ills. In solidarity, Dela Paz amplifies the voices of the marginalized, those who continue to be silenced. In this time of societal crisis, it is irrefutable that social realist art will never be irrelevant. It is a sharp response to and a powerful weapon against the status quo that remains detached from the people’s interests and miseries.

Dela Paz reminds us that art is a reflection of societal conditions. And in these times of relentless injustice, every space is an avenue for strengthening our calls and continuing our collective struggle.

With this exhibition, the artist further proves that the masses are not and will never be passive agents of society. They are the makers of history and wealth, the most enlightened and puissant force behind radical change and societal development.

Words by Adrian Maranan

CEDRICK DELA PAZ

“Guro” 2022

acrylic on canvas / resin and found objects 24" x 24" (61 cm x 61 cm) (framed)

“Electrician”

2022

acrylic on canvas / resin and found objects

24" x 24" (61 cm x 61 cm) (framed)

“Sorbetero”

2022

acrylic on canvas / resin and found objects

24" x 24" (61 cm x 61 cm) (framed)

“Karpintero”

2022

acrylic on canvas / resin and found objects

24" x 24" (61 cm x 61 cm) (framed)

“Jeepney Driver”

2022

acrylic on canvas / resin and found objects

24" x 24" (61 cm x 61 cm) (framed)

“OFW” 2022

acrylic on canvas / resin and found objects

24" x 24" (61 cm x 61 cm) (framed)

“Barbero”

2022

acrylic on canvas / resin and found objects

24" x 24" (61 cm x 61 cm) (framed)

“Mananahi”

2022

acrylic on canvas / resin and found objects

24" x 24" (61 cm x 61 cm) (framed)

“Third World 1” 2022 acrylic on canvas 72" x 48" (183 cm x 122 cm)

“Third World 2” 2022 acrylic on canvas 72" x 48" (183 cm x 122 cm)

“Third World 3” 2022 acrylic on canvas 72" x 48" (183 cm x 122 cm)

2022 fiberglass, reinforced resin

H: 68" x L: 32" x W: 27" (173 cm x 81 cm x 69 cm)

Cedrick Dela Paz Visual Artist

EDUCATION

Eulogio "Amang" Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology

(EARIST Manila) - Bachelor of Fine Arts, Major in Visual Communication Gallery, BGC, Taguig City, Philippines

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION:

• UST - On the Spot: Metrobanks Choice Award

• 2nd Place, MACC painting Competition

• 2nd Place, CEMEX Student Art Competition

1st Place, Gawad Pasion Painting Competition

1st Place, NRYLI On the Spot Painting Competition

• Juror's Choice, Alveo National Painting Competition

• Special Citation, (MADE) Metrobank Art Design Excellence

FINALIST IN VARIOUS ART COMPETITION

• (MADE) Metrobank Art Design Excellence

• Shell NSAC Student Art Competition

• JAV Ngiti Painting Competition

Vision Petron (T-Shirt Design Category)

Shell NSAC Student Art Competition

• (MADE) Metrobank Art Design Excellence

• (MADE) Metrobank Art Design Excellence

SOLO EXHIBITIONS:

• "Si Juan sa Ikatlong Mundo", 5th Solo Exhibition, Leon Gallery

International, Makati City, Philippines

• "Pugad Baboy", 4th Solo Exhibition, Art Cube Gallery, Makati City, Philippines

"Rat Race", 3rd Solo Exhibition, Eskinita Art Farm, Tanauan, Batangas, Philippines

• "KINAHON", 2nd Solo Exhibition, Ysobel Art Gallery, Bonifacio

Global City, Taguig, Philippines

"Roundtrip", 1st Solo Exhibition, Eskinita Art Gallery, Makati City, Philippines

GROUP EXHIBITIONS:

"E-Mentoring 2021", Agos Studio X Art Cube Gallery

"TUKLAS: Lay of the Land", Eskinita Art Farm

• "Takipsilim: Loaded 2", Eskinita Art Gallery

• "Sampayan: Connect With Your Heart", Pinto Art Museum

• "A Case of Realism", Agos Studio X Lab Art Gallery

"Door 305 - 4 Man Show", Xavier Art Festival

• "Art Moments Jakarta 3", DF Art Agency

•

"MOCAF: Modern and Contemporary Art Festival", DF Art Agency

• "Enemies - 4 Man Show", White Walls Gallery

"(VAHHFI) A Room To Think", Pinto Art Museum

"Class of 2021 - E-Mentoring Program", Agos Studio

• "Tenfold", Ysobel Art Gallery

• "Dos Por Dos", White Walls Gallery

"TTSLK", Art Verite Gallery

"Art Rocks", Metro Gallery

• "Art Moments Jakarta 2021", DF Art Agency

• "2021 Year End Show", Pinto Art Museum

•

"Art Made Public", S Maison - Pasay

"TUKLAS - Art Fair Philippines", Eskinita Art Gallery

"Ortigas Art Festival / Papelismo", Eskinita Art Gallery

• "Lockdown Memoirs I and II", Eskinita Art Gallery

• "WPS (West Philippines Sea)", Eskinita Art Gallery

"Small by Small, Slow by Slow", CANVAS Gallery and Garden

"Art Moments Jakarta 2020", DF Art Agency

• "Seeking Balance at UP Vargas Mueseum", CANVAS Gallery

• "Brave New World", Ysobel Art Gallery

• "Now Open, Door 305 Groupshow", Art Cube Gallery

"Awakenings", Eskinita Art Farm

• "Solace", Art Cube Gallery

• "Art Rocks", Artph / Art Cube Gallery

• "Twenty Twenty", J Studio X DF Art Agency

"Refuge - 4 Man Show", Ysobel Art Gallery

"Art In The Park", CANVAS Gallery and Garden

• "Bayluhanay IV", Molo Mansion / Eskinita Art Gallery

• "Art Rocks", Ysobel Art Gallery

"Wordless Storytelling", CANVAS Gallery and Garden

• "Everything The Same Way IV", Ysobel Art Gallery

• "Boundaries Without Borders", Art Cube Gallery

"Art In The Park", Ysobel Art Gallery

"Ortigas Art Festival", Estancia Mall, Eskinita Art Gallery

• "RCMW Induction Night Group Exhibit"

• "What It Means To Be Filipino - Looking for Juan Outdoor Banner",

UP Diliman Bulwagan ng Dangal, CANVAS Art Gallery

"Art In The Park", Ysobel Art Gallery / Village Art Gallery

• "GRIT - 4 Man Show", Ysobel Art Gallery

• "Differentiated Wholeness", ManilaArt - Ysobel Art Gallery

• "TUKLAS 2018 - Art Mentoring Program", Eskinita Art Gallery

"Everything The Same Way III", Ysobel Art Gallery

"Worthy", Cevio Art Gallery

• "Art Fair Philippines", Paseo Art Gallery

• "New Skin For The Old Ceremony", Ysobel Art Gallery

"Pierre Qui Rolle N'amasse Pas Mousse", Arte Pintura

"Loaded", Eskinita Art Gallery

• "Family Affair", Cevio Art Gallery

• "Collective Chemistry - ManilaArt 2017", Ysobel Art Gallery

• "Everything The Same Way II", Ysobel Art Gallery

"Art Fair Philippines", Paseo Art Gallery

• "Polarities", Cevio Art Gallery

• "Dar Un Paseo", SM Megamall Art Center Paseo Gallery

• "Over Thy Dead Bodies", J Studio Art Gallery

"Luna Art Group Show", Secret Fresh Art Gallery

"Pasasalamat", Cevio Art Gallery

Acknowledgments

A Joint Project of León Gallery International and DF Art Agency

León Gallery International

Address G/F Corinthian Plaza, 121 Paseo de Roxas, Legazpi Village, Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines

Contact info@leon-gallery.com

(02) 846 7416

(02) 856 2781

DF Art Agency

Address

UG 24 Star Centrum

317 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave.

Cor. Malugay St. Bel-Air, Makati City, 1209

Contact artagencydf@gmail.com

(+63) 915 216 3684

Website www.leongalleryinternational.com www.leon-gallery.com

@leongallerymakati

@leongallerymakati

Website www.df-artagency.com

@df_artagency

@df_artagency

G/F Corinthian Plaza, 121 Paseo de Roxas, Legazpi Village, Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines

G/F Corinthian Plaza, 121 Paseo de Roxas, Legazpi Village, Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines