A seemingly cold and impervious medium such as steel is imbued with warmth, softness and even humanity in the hands of artist Sam Penaso, whose ongoing show “Splice” reunites him with a material that unleashes in him the same energy and creative abandon evident in his paintings.
Often described as the “stripe-walker” in the local art scene, Sam Penaso has been known for his colorful lines-and-splats bravura on his canvases. Bursting with colors rendered in an almost abstract manner, Penaso’s canvases betray his energetic brushstrokes and creative abandon resulting in textured hues.
In “Splice,” Penaso reverts again to his artistic process, as he indulges the viewer in stainless realizations that reprise his imaginative foray using steel in art, which earlier won for him a Philippine Art award.
Stainless steel is better appreciated as public art, as it can be welded, bent and finished with many different surface effects. Penaso is able to manipulate steel as if it is second nature to him because of the material’s malleability and durability. He has mastered the medium, no doubt, as it revs up his imagination as soon as he sees the material in front of him.
In “Splice,” his wall-bound pieces and sculptures reveal a more mature Penaso as an artist, as he maximizes the limits of steel through sheer creativity, often exploring the limitless possibilities of this seemingly cold, impervious material.
Using gold, silver, or white, Penaso meticulously transfers each element before he welds them together. Depending on his mood, an image has to appeal to his liking. From the Mona Lisa to portraits of people from different walks of life, to body parts like eyes and bosom, to animals from dogs to birds. Even objects ranging from knives to basketball are all collectively present. What is remarkable is how Penaso composes his images in gestalt-like effect mosaic.
The artistry of Penaso stems not only from creative talent,
but also skillful mastery of all elements that form part of his medium. Subjects, visual language and functionality likewise seamlessly come into play. Observing him take control at his studio, one can’t help but be enthralled as he allows his art to command his thinking and feeling.
The exhibition is ongoing until October 31 at Art Lounge Manila – Podium, Ortigas Center. For more information, visit the Art Lounge Manila website, www.artloungemanila.com. For more details, you can also check its social media pages—(FB) @artloungemanila; (IG) @artloungemanila.
