Norse myths and legends come to life, albeit subtly, in Jomike Tejido’s “Nordic Sky Worlds,” the artist’s latest solo exhibition, which is ongoing until July 12 at Art Lounge Manila’s Molito-Alabang gallery.
Step aside, Thor! There’s more to Vikings and Valhalla than the in-your-face animators and CGI masters in Hollywood could ever imagine, as Norse myths and legends come to life in Jomike Tejido’s 16th solo exhibition dubbed as “Nordic Sky Worlds.”
In his latest outing, the artist lets his imagination take flight, as we are swept into the worlds of Norse gods and goddesses, great battles and vast otherworldly landscapes. The whole exhibition is tied together by a masterfully crafted panoramic chronicle of these Nordic deities and the worlds they inhabit.
In the true spirit of collaboration, the artist, who’s also an architect by profession, took inspiration from the physical space in which the exhibit is placed. He uses the multi-level structure of Art Lounge Manila – Molito to depict the structure of the nine realms of Nordic myth. In Nordic Mythology, all nine realms are connected by Yggdrasil or the world tree, which, in the exhibit, is represented by a climb through a series of steps. Thus allowing the viewer to essentially walk the Bifrost a bridge that connects the mortal world to Asgard the realm of the gods.
Tejido’s signature illustrative abstraction is showcased in the works from this exhibition. Though his works do not reference recognizable forms, the narrative is nonetheless felt through his use of texture and tone to convey the plot and the mood. And in the absence of figurative characters, recurring symbols and icons serve as poetic punctuations scattered about the sweeping vistas of his abstract landscapes.
Aside from thematically being influenced by Nordic culture, the Nordic aesthetic is also significantly at play. Though maximalist in its execution, the mild color palettes, the near absence of sharp edges that give way to flowing lines and curves give the works a decidedly Nordic minimalist feel. Even at first glance, the works evoke the quintessentially Nordic sense of hygge, a quality of coziness and conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment. This is definitely something that is decidedly essential at this particular point in history and something everyone needs to have a little of, especially in the places they call home.
The exhibition will run until July 12 at Art Lounge Manila – Molito in Muntinlupa City. For more information, visit the Art Lounge Manila website www.artloungemanila.com. You may also check their social media pages FB: @artloungemanila IG: @artloungemanila for more details.
