Organized by seasoned interior designer Jonathan Matti, the ongoing exhibit of Borlongan’s artworks, both on canvas and as a sculpture, can be viewed up close at Vetted in Makati.
A scene teeming with positivity redolent of Philippine summers is now immortalized in bronze, thanks to celebrated Filipino artist Elmer Borlongan. His latest sculpture, “Shoulder Wars,” depicts two men in swim trunks engaged in a playful battle, perched on the shoulders of friends submerged in water. This whimsical artwork is now featured in a new exhibit organized by leading interior designer Jonathan Matti at Vetted, located at 126 Mile Long Arcade, Amorsolo St., Makati.
Borlongan, celebrated for his evocative expressionist style, drew inspiration for “Shoulder Wars” from cherished memories of spending summers with loved ones, filled with laughter and lighthearted competition around the pool. “The subject,” Borlongan explains, “was about taking a break and playing.”
This playful vignette first appeared as an oil painting on canvas in 2015, initially titled “Chicken Wars.” Later renamed “Shoulder Wars,” it was displayed at the Alliance Française in an exhibition centered on the theme of water. The artwork eventually found a home in the collection of landscape consultant and bonsai proponent Roberto Gopiao.
In 2018, Gopiao approached Borlongan with a proposition: translate “Shoulder Wars” into a three-dimensional sculpture. Through a contact in Xiamen, China, a foundry specializing in bronze casting was enlisted for the project. Borlongan oversaw the creation of a maquette, a miniature clay model that served as a blueprint for the final seven- foot-tall sculpture. The completed clay model was then shipped to China for casting.
The resulting trio of bronze sculptures now graces three distinct locations: Gopiao’s serene pond in his getaway in Lucban, Quezon; the garden surrounding Borlongan’s studio in San Antonio, Zambales; and soon, a spot in the artist’s own pond, bringing the fun water play of “Shoulder Wars” full circle.
The spirited “Shoulder Wars” takes center stage in the ongoing exhibit of the same title. The show at Vetted, a creative space established by Matti, will showcase both the original oil painting and the three-foot-tall bronze sculpture.
Known for his sophisticated and elegant design style, Matti expressed his enthusiasm for the exhibit. “Elmer Borlongan’s work has always captured the essence of Filipino culture with a unique blend of nostalgia and modernity. This exhibit is a testament to his ability to evoke deep emotions through both painting and sculpture,” he said.
Borlongan’s artistic journey began far from the lighthearted world of poolside games. At the University of the Philippines, he was associated with social realism, a movement that utilized visual art as a critique of society. As a member of Artista ng Bayan, alongside influential figures like Emmanuel Garibay, Jose Tence Ruiz, and Mark Justiniani, Borlongan tackled social inequity, politics and religion, drawing inspiration from the struggles of the common man.
His social realist phase, which began in the late 1980s, transitioned towards a softer approach in the early 1990s. Eventually, Borlongan found himself drawn to the expressive energy of figurative expressionism, where the artist’s emotional response to a subject takes precedence over a purely objective representation of reality. His shift was influenced by his participation in the Salingpusa art group.
“We were searching for directions on what to paint,” Borlongan recalled. “We were city boys. We painted our environment.”
For Borlongan, technical virtuosity and photographic realism weren’t the defining factors of meaningful artwork. “My approach is how to interpret your subject matter from your heart,” he explained. This focus on interpretation translates into his signature style, characterized by exaggerated figures to evoke heightened emotion. Proportions are deliberately distorted, and bodies elongated, drawing influence from Expressionist masters such as Max Beckmann, Kathe Kollwitz, Jose Clemente Orozco, and David Siqueiros.
Matti, one of the most sought-after interior designers in the Philippines, has consistently demonstrated his passion for Filipino culture, history, and art. His collaboration with British design firm De Gournay in 2017 led to the creation of Latina Manila, a bespoke wallpaper collection inspired by 19th-century Manila and the Philippines’ flora and fauna. Through his firm, Jonathan G Matti Design Consultants, Matti continues to bring his vision of luxury, characterized by bespoke, handmade and unique pieces, into homes.
