About the Event
Darwin Guevarra’s vision evokes a sense of weight, density, gravity, movement and effort leading to a form of mechanical peristalsis. The artist’s focus is to transform machines into a narrative of life, to show how much story telling power they have inside them. With “Movere et Machina”, Darwin Guevarra carefully examines issues of cultural displacement, migration, and human subjectivity.
Guevarra paints subtle mechanisms that magnify and reflect on aspects of the human condition currently in transition. Given his choice of subject, it is at first tempting to think of his work as a throwback to the eighteenth century, with its belief in a clockwork universe -- left to run in accordance with the laws of mechanics. His visuals of uniquely-designed automotives push the clockwork metaphor to its limit, embodying viewers' questions about the difference, if any, between mechanism and organism. His works open to the truths about life as they are transitional and continuously evolving; with the motion, wires, motors, oil, and chains of Guevarra’s subjects becoming representations of elements that fit the narrative.
With roots from the urban municipality of Taytay, in the province of Rizal, Philippines, Darwin Guevarra, known as Japat to many, is brimming with interesting stories to tell through his artworks. Japat's passion revolves around visual arts, sculpture, painting and photography, and performing arts. Remarkably most of his skills have been self-taught.
Guevarra has participated in various exhibitions, both locally and internationally, and is a committed member of various art groups including the Art Association of the Philippines. He recently exhibited his works at the Ortigas Art Festival 2019 and Manila Art 2018. His notable distinctions include winning the 2nd prize in Mixed Media Category of the Red Bull UAE Art Competition in November 2006 and the Sony World Photography Competition in France in April 2008. Guevarra also became the first Filipino artist to bring home the grand prize for fine arts in the Dubai Shaikha Manal New Signatures Young Artist Award in 2008.
“Movere et Machina” will be on view from March 25 – April 3, 2019 with the Artist Reception scheduled for Wednesday, March 27 at 6PM. The gallery is located on the 3rd level of The Podium, ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City. For inquiries, contact Galerie Joaquin at +632-634-7954 or +632-723-9418 or email podium.galeriejoaquin@gmail.