‘Pabalat’ – simple and minimal but impactful

Multi-awarded painter, sculptor, and installation and performance artist Salvador Ching revealed a gift-wrapped world at his just-concluded exhibit “Pabalat” at the Art Lounge Manila. The exhibit, a collection of mystery presents wrapped in brown paper bags, spoke of gifts in all their forms. It was the artist’s way of sympathizing with the victims of various calamities that struck our country over the years, from typhoons and earthquakes to the pandemic.

“The pabalat concept started in my supot series back in 2013,” says Ching. “That was a time strong typhoons became rampant in our country and I admired how the Filipinos came together to help those who were in need, even now that we are experiencing the pandemic. Pabalat or pambalot can be used in wrapping gifts, but it can also be used in wrapping relief goods. You can use it in any way that you want and that is what the exhibit was also about—the gift of giving to people in need.”

At his 16th solo exhibition, Ching’s extensive use of various mediums created a diversity of experiences for the viewer. Wrapping is the art of protecting, concealing, and presenting a gift. It connotes value for both the giver and the recipient. In every gift, it is indeed the thought (of helping) that counts. 

The gift speaks of a person’s esteem and estimation, but also of his taste and personality as choices are made as to how a gift should be presented. The exhibit was also a product of the social relations wrapped with gift-giving. With series titles like Alay, Offering, Bagahe, Pagsuyo, Pambalot, it was not a stretch to imagine the exhibition as connected to the act of gift-giving.

“My favorite moment will always be putting paint on the canvas and creating the art from there,” says Ching. “I used old images from my previous works and I think that’s what made this exhibit even more special. It is very important for us artists to make our viewers feel and experience the messages we want to convey, like giving significance to society and nature, and how we should take care of it because it is no longer as healthy and as beautiful as it was before. We have to protect our home.”

Ching’s colorful sculptures made of resin and wood (clip) in Pasalubong transform the brown paper bag into an aesthetic object, printed with the Filipiniana imagery from the colonial period. It hints at how things have stayed the same and changed at the same time over the years.

Soundtrip showcases a Filipina printed on a brown paper bag, with earphones dangling from her ears, showing how music has been a constant companion for the Filipinos wherever they go.

Ching perfectly transformed an ordinary brown paper bag into a treasure that speaks of the culture of Filipinos, the past and the present. It evokes memory as it also makes the viewer look at the future and what will become of our nation. 

“My style for this exhibit is minimal and simple,” explains Ching. “I wanted to make it colorful through pastel colors, and optimism. My only materials during the lockdown were the supot (brown paper bag). I think this exhibit turned out well.”

“Pabalat’ ran at Art Lounge Manila, The Podium, Ground Floor, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong, Metro Manila.