Artist Rax Bautista on how the pandemic has become a time to meditate and create art

Not even the COVID-19 pandemic could stop artist Rax Bautista to show her love and appreciation for the outdoors as this served as the muse of her newest show titled "Metanoia."

"In such a precarious era of multiple crises, I often find myself seeking strength in the mountains. After all, it is in vast spaces where one can breathe freely—both in a literal and a metaphorical sense," she tells Manila Bulletin Lifestyle. "In this collection of works, I aim to convey the same tranquility I gained from the city." 

Unlike her previous exhibits, Rax gives a different touch to "Metanoia" by using back-lit acrylic glass with resin textures. She also uses stainless-steel-wrapped canvas, salvaged wooden frames and sculpture, and other experimental materials. 

Rax also said that this show was born out of meditation.

"Here is a journey through different colors of the sunset, of volcanic activities, of the waves of the sea," she says. "Here are the textures I have reimagined from rocks and stones I have collected from traversing mountains and forests filled with trees—most of which I cannot hold a name to—as well as many of natures's other priceless treasures." 

"Metanoia" is a 13-piece art show that will run from Dec. 9 to 12, 2021 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at SinePop in Quezon City. 

"All pieces for this exhibit are bits and chunks of the beautiful world we have, created by God. The colors mimic the abundant soil where life produces and matures," Rax adds. "The textures bring out the flaws and truth of our mere existence. The acrylic glasses, which I have been experimenting on for a couple of years, tell about how our spirit can flow as we go on. The salvaged woods and metals featured in my pieces reflect how struggles can be inevitable and how we can be resilient in such times."