Sometimes, an artwork can draw out reflections on how you feel about your own faith and mannerisms. For Mateo Cacnio, having been a son of a preacher and growing up surrounded by the ambience of a metal workshop, his art featured in “Remembering Harmony in these Noises” shows us how he manages to reflect on spiritual harmony amid the noise.

Mateo works with two forms of media in his exhibit: acrylic paint and cast sculptures using various metals. For his paintings, there is an earthy tone consistent throughout. Faded colors of orange, yellow, and brown create surreal imagery akin to the whimsy of Salvador Dali and the abstract portraits of Pablo Picasso. Faces are also somewhat obscured, smushed by the delicate brushwork that goes into his works. “All Seeing” has what appears to be eyes in its atmosphere, staring down into the lives of the subjects below. Meanwhile, “Interoception” presents us with a glimpse into a never-ending abyss in its background. You can easily find yourself lost in the gaze of these dreamlike worlds as you try to follow the details.

His metallic sculptures evoke a different feeling entirely. Even from the titles alone, “Scream” and “Flee,” it captivates for its eeriness. Figureheads seem akin to the lurking horrors of distant Sirenheads. It is further amplified by the hornlike features these figures possess, inspired by the jeepneys and tricycles that pass by his workstation. Almost nightmarish in comparison to his acrylic works, yet such a stunning visual that keeps you drawn to it. These metallic sculptures keep you frozen in place as you try to study their seemingly harrowing features. Almost similar to the sense you might feel from witnessing a biblically accurate angel that tells you not to be afraid despite its haunting imagery.