Galeria Paloma will present a new exhibition of artworks by artist Carlos from July 7 to 9, 2023 at the North Court of Power Plant Mall in Makati City. The show, titled "Stop.Motion," will feature a wide range of Carlos' work, including sculptures, paintings, and animated paintings. The gallery team unveiled the impetus of the show in a media luncheon at the posh Flame restaurant in Discovery Primea. According to them, "The exhibition puts a special focus on his sculpture, the first medium the artist ever used when he began his career in the 1980s. Carlos’ signature, bright, colorful, and joyful canvases will also be on display, as well as his collection of animated paintings motion-designed by IJ Cacnio." In a separate interview, the elusive artist shared his story: "I started creating sculptures in my spare time in the 1980s, more purposefully than I did previously, in which it was a minor hobby," says Carlos, explaining his first foray into sculpture-making. "When I switched to being a full-time artist over twenty years ago, I focused mainly on paintings," the artist shared. "I produced fewer sculpture pieces, except for commissioned projects. But I never tired of making them." "The Challenge"
He continued, "I always tried to find the best materials to suit what I wanted to create. Doing so, I have found my materials in resin and steel. Through resin, the piece is given body, texture, and layers; with steel as its skeletal structure, the artist captures a precise moment in the figure’s motion, conveying a wide range of actions." "The Music Man"
For the uninitiated in the arts scene, in the mid-1980s, Carlos' wife owned Galeria Mia, a gallery in Pasay Road. The space showcased works by renowned artists such as Arturo Luz, Jose Joya, and Lao Lianben. The gallery also supported up-and-coming artists, and Carlos' wife encouraged him to sell the sculpture he had been working on. To their surprise, his sculptures were well-received by her clients, and Carlos began to devote more time to his art. "When the Sails Go By"
Carlos' sculptures depict people at work, such as fishermen, vendors, and bullfighters. He also creates sculptures of families, such as fathers and sons, and mothers and their children. These sculptures are designed to capture the motion and emotion of the subjects, making them more than just "statue-like." Carlos wants his sculptures to feel alive and to express the love, camaraderie, and pride that people feel when they work. His sculptures are not about the toil of labor, but about the nobility and dignity of work. "The Violinist"
"My thesis about my paintings, which is to create scenes that inspire joy and gratitude about both the little and big, amazing things in life, run parallel to my thesis about my sculpture, which is also to evoke positive feelings–pride in one’s work, camaraderie in working together with others towards a goal," Carlos continued. "The Magic in Music"
"To me, they are related. I try to create an environment that encourages the viewer to examine within their own lives a feeling of appreciating life and the moments we tend to take for granted. Sometimes, we have to stop and take it all in."