“WATERWORKS”
November 10 - December 4, 2007
 

It’s heartening to know that even with the migration of Filipino artist Alfredo Aquilizan with his family to Brisbane, Australia, the Philippine art scene hasn’t lost him…or his art.  We again can view his beautiful works through Galleria Duemila in his exhibit entitled, “Waterworks” which opens on the 10^th of November until the 4th of December 2007. 

            While it is true that Aquilizan’s art - whether it be his paintings or his installations have always been inherently Filipino- like the use of everyday found objects in Filipino life- it can be said he now shows another very Filipino trait with these new series of artworks presented for this exhibition:  that of the adaptability of the Pinoy.  Migrant Filipinos worldwide may make their homes on foreign soil- but they are no less Filipino, many carrying mementos from home to install in their new lives and houses, and in a sense, Aquilizan is no different in this sense.  What makes him unique is he is able to bring his Filipino perspective to a foreign land and as he makes it home now- use the objects from there- and let that inspire him or affect him to make visual statements of life that we can relate to.  His work reflects the place where they live, work, and play: the site he is present at dictates the outcome of his art. 

            This celebrated artist has long charmed the art public, and has received acclaim by such noted art critiques such as Alice Guillermo, and wowed international artists in venues worldwide, like Cuba, Japan, Korea, NY, and Italy- for the 50^th la Biennale di Venezia: which has been called the ultimate art event- the art world’s Cannes- which has not invited a Filipino representative since 1964 when Napoleon Abueva and Jose Joya sent their artworks.  He and his wife Isabel collaborated on M201 "In God We Trust"- an all stainless steel WWII military jeep deconstructed as a mobile piece of art decorated with domestic and strange objects that part and a parcel of Pinoy life. 

            In this exhibit, Alfredo Aquilizan returns to his roots of painting - or rather, the home of his heart.  His paintings are in hues of gray with black and white and silver- reflecting the shorelines of the Queensland beaches, specifically the Sunshine Coast where he and his children go to spend time together.  These are the hues he prefers at this moment - understated as they are, but making intense visual statements nonetheless, the textures are so rich one doesn’t even miss brighter colors.  The brush strokes say it all, as he plays with the flexibility of polymer paint. 

            “At present painting for me becomes like a spiritual home…some kind of retreat, a sanctuary where I can detach myself from the outside world and experience a profound sense of belonging….”       

                                                                                                -Alfredo Juan Aquilizan 

Alfredo Aquilizan resides in Australia with his wife, artist Isabel Aquilizan and their five children, He is currently working on his Posgraduate Research Course/ Doctorate Program at the Griffith University where he is also teaching at The Queensland College of Art, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University.  He has also taught in The University of the Philippines, Los Banos, and The Philippine High School for the Arts, Los Baños Laguna, Philippines.  He studied art in Philippine Women’s University, the Art Student League of New York, and received his MA in Fine Art from the Anglia Polytechnic University in Norwich, England.   

For exhibition inquiries, please call (63) 831-9990 and (63) 833-9815, or email duemila@mydestiny.net