Litany
Billy Bagtas expresses his devotion to his God and to his family with a paintbrush. His second solo exhibit at the Secret Fresh Gallery, “Holy God, Holy Strong, Holy Immortal” are the images of his prayers, his confessions.
“This exhibit is about my God and my family. My parents are devout Roman Catholics, while I am a Born Again Christian. We have different religious practices but we worship the same God.
This show reveals my vulnerability, myself confessing my sins to the Lord,” he says.
His pieces hold fascinating complexity, figurative expressions using light and dark colors and elements to create contrast and illuminate his message across the viewers. At a glance, his art has a sinister effect, but looking at its detail is its hidden message intended for you.
His centerpiece and the biggest artwork in the exhibit is "Ang Pitong Pulang Simbahan sa Ilalim ng Makapangyarihang Langit" (The Seven Red Churches Under Heaven). It is an image of a powerful being looking down at his people. It represents the omnipotence, omniscient, and omnipresent power of God, all-knowing and all-powerful, never leaving his faithful servant’s side.
“I believe we are all redeemable no matter our shortcomings. May pag-asa ika nga, at hindi tayo papabayaan ng Diyos (There’s hope, as they say, and God won’t forsake us), and that is what I want to share in this exhibit. Its title is inspired from the Roman Catholic religion, where people pray to various statues and images of saints. Not that I am against their religion, I respect it, and I admire it because of the faith that I witness from my parents. In a way, this exhibit is also my tribute to them,” he says.
On Sept. 21, 2021, Bigtas’ mother joined His creator due to cancer. All her life, she believed in her son and his art. “My mom was my inspiration because she always understood me and my art. I know she’s proud of me and my next exhibit will be dedicated to her,” Bigtas ends.
"Holy God, Holy Strong, Holy Immortal" ran from Oct. 24 to Nov. 5 at the Secret Fresh Gallery, Ronac Art Center, Ortigas Ave., Greenhills, San Juan.