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Iggy Rodriguez has unveiled his latest exhibit “Hidlaw” at the Adoro Gallery-Museum in Iloilo City. The show, which runs until Nov. 30, is a curated collection of his works spanning a decade that showcases human desire, ambition, and a yearning for meaning.
“Hidlaw,” a Hiligaynon term for longing, forges a deeper connection with the Ilonggo audience and engages with them on a personal level.
“I decided to use a Hiligaynon term because I wanted to make it relatable to the Ilonggo audience. I consulted with my friends about what Hiligaynon word could best capture the concepts of longing and yearning and desire,” recounts Rodriguez. “This led to the conclusion that the term “Hidlaw” not only fitted the concept for the whole exhibit, but also gives it a local feel. It establishes a local connection and creates a sense of familiarity. I hope the audience would be able to establish an emotional resonance with the works, and engage in a personal dialogue with each artwork presented in the show.”
The exhibit features a range of works, from intricate pen and ink drawings to layered cutouts. One of the highlights is the “Asa” series, inspired by Renaissance and Baroque paintings. Rodriguez reimagines the kneeling figures, transforming them into solitary portraits that pose profound questions about human existence.
“This series is inspired by characters to be kneeling or bowing down in the various Renaissance and Baroque paintings on the assumption of Mary and the deposition of Chirst. I wanted to focus on these figures and reimagine them where they become solitary portraits or individuals in a scene where their posture becomes the point of inquiry, asking ‘Why? To whom? For what?’—creating several meanings or interpretations all revolving around the idea of longing and yearning, infinitely hoping for something that can never be found,” he explains. “The series is titled ‘Asa,’ which means ‘hope,’ but also ‘blind hope’ or ‘overly dependent.’ It’s a cycle of yearning, a reflection of the human condition.”
Rodriguez’s creative process is a s meticulous as his final works. He describes it as a meditative practice, involving multiple layers of drawing and contemplation. “The cut-out layered process is a significant part of my creative process as it is both an experiment and a reflection of my whole approach to art,” he says. “I consider ever aspect and step as layers, starting from concept building to planning, then to execution.”
Another theme explored in “Hidlaw” is the fine line between aspiration and greed. Rodriguez’s works challenge viewers to reflect on the selfish aspects of desire and the destructive consequences of unchecked ambition.
“All of the works presented in the exhibit tackle themes of human desire—the longing for power and status – and reveal a fine line between greed and aspiration. It asks viewers to reflect upon the selfish aspects of desire and the consequences of unchecked ambition which inevitably leads to lust for power and control,” he explains.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, “Hidlaw” also serves as a social commentary. Rodriguez’s involvement with the UGAT Lahi artist collective has shaped his perspective, leading him to explore themes of social justice and human rights. “My works are partly informed by my experience as a member of the UGAT Lahi Artist Collective and my involvement with socially committed organizations,” he reveals. “My creative and critical perspectives on national issues are reflected in my works, from the personal to the social. As a committed social observer, my political sympathies lean toward human rights and social justice.”
“Hidlaw” runs until Nov. 30 at the Adoro Gallery-Museum, Iloilo City.