By Hannah Jo Uy 

In 1877, English essayist Walter Pater proclaimed that “all art constantly aspires toward the condition of music.” 

Indeed, art and music have been entwined for eons, whether as part of the process or as a catalyst for creation. Swiss-born German artist Paul Klee, partial to the music of Johann Sebastian Bach,attempted to transfer the energy of the music he was listening to on the canvas. The Russian art theorist and pioneer of abstraction, Wassily Kandinsky, talked about the desire to create works that trigger a multi-sensory journey as he attempts to “capture the inner sound of the elements.” Allegedly, Eugène Delacroix painted the Church of Saint-Sulpice in Paris, accompanied by an organ playing in the background. 

For Edwin Wilwayco, acclaimed for his profound influence on abstract art in the Philippines, the hypnotic power of music persists in the 21st century. His modern-day version of a personal orchestra, the popular music streaming service Spotify, has recently sparked a creative fire that paved the way for his latest visually captivating artistic series, “Rhythmic Reverie.”

“By chance, as I was playing Spotify, I found myself repeatedly drawn to the music of Bach, Vivaldi, Handel, Mozart, Massenet, and Beethoven,” says Wilwayco, reflecting on his latest collection. Modern platforms aside, the dynamic synergy between timeless symphonies and a profoundly artistic mind continues to bear magical results. “As I listened, I could feel how immensely it shaped me, giving form to the canvas. The speakers proved to be as important as my paintbrush. I would play the songs and submit my paintings to be moved by the dramatically shifting moods, fantastic harmonic suspension, and other grand ornamentations that characterized the soul-stirring genre.” 

Undeniably, capturing this soul-stirring genre is like trying to bottle lightning. After all, it is not simply about capturing beauty. It’s about embodying the complexity of human emotion—of what it means to live and be, and all the movements in this dance called life. Wilwayco is more than up to this daunting task, being an artist who does not only paint with color but also with raw and unbridled emotion. He draws from his deep well of memories, whether reminiscing on the resilience required to rise the ranks in the artistic world amid early struggles or simply savoring the deep affection he has for his beloved family. He brings sentiment to the surface and converts sound into sight creating works that are not only renowned for their beauty but also, for their honesty.  

“I’m always conscious of making every series different without losing rhythm and harmony,” he says. “We all grow. It’s defined by what we have seen in the past, what we listen to, what we see, and our conversations with different artists.”  

Wilwayco would dig deep into this mediative process for his latest collection, which features 28 pieces and marks his second solo exhibition with Arte Bettina. In this series, Wilwayco exemplifies the beauty of confined chaos.  Each painting feels organic and wild with his signature bold brushstrokes, yet thoughtful and seamless, with every element intentional. In fact, Wilwayco uses the word “deliberate” to describe this series, sharing that he chose to explore and exhibit a sense of control and intention by focusing on and fleshing out a segment or instrument in a song.  

Wilwayco’s effortless ability to distill the depth of emotion from a fragment of a song and convey the complexity of humanity through a painting is a testament to his exquisite skill, honed over years of dedicated practice. A master in his own right, he makes his work stand apart for its skillful command of the canvas, creating highly textured, multi-dimensional marks with tools that have evolved in an almost Darwinian fashion as he moves between his studios in Providence, Rhode Island and Manila, Philippines.

Through his exquisite use of shades, colors, and textures, Wilwayco records the passage of time and invites viewers to reconsider their perspectives on art and life. By intensely focusing on specific elements, he offers a moment of introspection, using the canvas as a window into a meditative space, encouraging us to pause and reflect. In capturing these moments, it is as though he has, indeed, captured lightning in a bottle, revealing the profound beauty in the fleeting present, which offers a humble respite in the chaos of life. 

Such humility is characteristic of the artist, who, amid his fame and achievements, celebrates his latest exhibition with nothing but gratitude saying, “Again, I thank God for this beautiful gift of creating paintings.”

Rhythmic Reverie is on exhibit at Arte Bettinauntil Oct. 17.