TAKING a glance seems exhausting when you have seen more than enough, but Julio Jose Austria’s paintings suggest that one can never be weary with looking at life.
His exhibit, Viewing the World, which runs till April 8 – 22 at the Art Verite’ Gallery in Serendra, Bonifacio Global City, consists of oil-paintings on canvas depicting experiences and observations of the United States and Europe. Theme is about the objective viewing of the world, avoiding subjectivity.
Had took up Painting from College of Architecture and Fine Arts batch 2000, Julio Jose Austria got a grant from the Vermont Studio Center, U.S.A., which enabled him to travel in places there. He has also held shows in Germany, Austria and Thailand.
Unquestionably, his passion for art is unwavering, having spent the past 10 years of his life solely on painting. “That is why I’m still single at the age of 31,” Austria said. “It is like I have entered the seminary.”
Asked about his inspiration, he replied, “You don’t need someone or something to be inspired, if you are passionate with your vocation everything goes continuously.”
Austria’s works are landscapes in the geographical and personal levels. His style is an amalgam of representation and nonfiguration. They are characterized by free-flowing colors and textural brushstrokes.
Among works in the exhibit, “National Treasure” is the artist’s favorite. It portrays a group of young students observing paintings sincerely in a museum, which shows how they value art even in their juvenile stage. “National Treasure” combines light greys and medium browns; conspiring color of appealing freshness. Austria explained that the painting shows his amazement at how European countries instill artistic discipline into their children at a very young age.
“Surviving Recession” is an emblematic picture of a woman who exudes hope despite the pessimistic atmosphere brought by the recession. Orange shades make the work intimate and evokes courage.
On the other hand, “Never Obsolete” depicts a man with his bicycle in Amsterdam. Through it, Austria encourages the use of nature-friendly modes of transportation and comments on the environmental deterioration of his own country. The work shows gentle paint without any strong notes, signifying a placid appearance on its surface.
Viewing the World hints at the interrelation between all social beings amid surface differences and artificial borders.
“Sometimes, what looks good for one is not enough for the others, (but) it is through this that we get to know what true beauty is,” he said.
Ana May dela Cruz’s words showed the beauty of the paintings like she’s taking me personally on the exhibit. I’ve seen the pdf version of the Varsitarian and it’s great! This writer really knows how to appreciate works of art. Keep up the good work Ana May!