Through “Ipso Facto,” Rojas masterfully bridges abstraction and profound personal themes, offering viewers a vivid exploration of essence and emotion in his latest artistic journey.
By Carlomar Arcangel Daoana
In his latest exhibition, Ipso Facto, artist, lawyer and former PCSO general manager Joy Rojas delves into the intrinsic nature of objects, producing works that embody his enduring artistic themes. The title, which translates to “by the fact itself,” reflects the artist’s approach to abstraction as a distillation of ideas into their most self-evident forms, directly linked to their essence.
In collaboration with ArtistSpace, JRFII Studio, and The Saturday Group of Artists, this exhibition presents a diverse collection of works, including mixed-media creations, canvas-shaped pieces, and a captivating sculpture. Rojas continues to demonstrate his emotive expressiveness, using a lyrical brushstroke and a rich, sometimes intoxicating palette of colors.
Among the works on display are those that celebrate the beauty of various places: the delicate cherry blossoms of Japan, the dramatic foliage of New England, and the scintillating summer scenes of the French Riviera. Rojas’ round canvases pay homage to the planet’s staggering richness and diversity, capturing the colors and textures of nature.
While abstraction remains Rojas’ primary language, a few pieces in this exhibition feature imagery that reveals his personal passions — his love of horses, his deep faith and his devotion to history. These works incorporate actual objects such as horseshoes and images of saints, Jesus Christ and Mother Mary, alongside historical references marking the birth of the Republic.
The exhibition’s lone sculpture, “Golden Equine,” showcases a horse crafted from an amalgam of wood, poised with its front legs lifted, ready to charge forward. It is remarkable for its sheer simplicity and how it’s able to evoke the energy of spirited motion.
In Ipso Facto, Joy Rojas encapsulates his artistic evolution, merging abstraction with powerful imagery to create works that resonate on both emotional and intellectual levels. The exhibition testifies to the inherent quality of Rojas’ art—where the meaning, by the fact itself, is inseparable from the essence of the work. Through these pieces, he invites viewers to experience the profound connection between form and content, and to witness the distilled truth of his creative vision.
