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On
October 6, 2007, witness the love affair of two
amazing artists with the medium that is, arguably,
their first love in their debut exhibit with
Galleria Duemila titled “BondPaper”. Critically
acclaimed around the world, both Tes Pasola and Tony
Gonzalez became enamored by paper-making and as a
medium over 15 years ago…a love that they have
nurtured over the years, and skills they have honed
to perfection. The paper itself is their
inspiration, its texture, the many forms it can
take, its underrated strength. Artworks made of
paper, often the paper they themselves make, whether
it is from Tony’s paper mill in Bicol, which was
badly damaged from the last storm, or Tes’ smaller
home paper mill.
“We have this concept of making paper not flat, but
three-dimensional.”
-Tony Gonzalez
And
three-dimensional it is, to say the least.
Multi-dimensional is more appropriate, for their
artwork seems to connect this dimension to the
dimension of dreams, of possibilities, of calm and
peace. They bring out the best of paper, its
rawness, and make one look at paper as something
more than something to write or paint on. They call
it “Lupa Paper” or paper from the earth, for it’s
organic qualities, the handmade paper they make and
experiment with. At a paper show some time back,
Tes brought a suitcase full of her handmade paper,
and shy about showcasing them, surrounded by paper
masters like the Japanese. But the response she got
was overwhelming. And that was just the paper…not
the paper wall art yet that she has become now known
for.
“I wanted to make paper with Pinoy sensibility.
Fun. Festive.”
-Tes Pasola
And
so she has. Tes and Tony are experts on handmade
paper and as paper as an art form. They continually
push the limits, playing, experimenting, learning.
There are no rules…anything is possible. Even
though both artists have background in design and
have worked with many other materials such as
ceramic, acrylic, wire, metal, glass and even
asphalt- they always come home to paper.
The
artists work separately, often only seeing each
other’s work just before their exhibits, of which
they have done plenty together worldwide. And yet,
even without discussing or planning to- their
artworks have their similarities yet the differences
are apparent. It isn’t planned that way- it just
happens. They develop the same idea…unspoken, just
as their love for paper is unspoken. There is a
symbiosis between these two artists and the medium
of paper. BondPaper speaks of more than their bond
with the paper itself. It is also their bond with
one another…a bond that has been there since their
college days in UST Fine Arts. And apparently,
the Bonds of Paper, are stronger than steel.
For exhibition
inquiries, please call (632)831-9990 and
(632)833-9815, or email
duemila@mydestiny.net Galleria Duemila is
located at 210 Loring St. Pasay City, Philippines
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