A THOMASIAN painter rendered stories of growth and self-discovery in the abstract works featured in the “Meliora For the Pursuit of the Better” exhibit at the Altro Mondo Creative Space in Makati.
Advertising arts alumnus and former Varsitarian artist Carlos Trinidad drew inspiration from the human desire for improvement in his latest solo exhibition, whose title was adopted from the Latin term for “better.”
“That (artistic journey) makes my inspiration; I wanted to do something about it,” Trinidad said during the exhibit launch on Feb. 24. “I don’t want to be idle–I wanted to draw and paint from my failures before, from my frustrations.”
“It is a fulfillment of my being. That (pursuit for the better) is what I want to achieve in my life,” he added.
Transitioning from his earlier style which leaned more on the figurative and folkloric, the Thomasian artist immersed fully into abstraction in Meliora, where he also explores the use of more vibrant hues.
Trinidad said it was the aptly titled 48×48-in. piece “Breaking Through” that marked his metamorphosis of styles and spurred him to put together the pieces for the solo exhibition.
“I realized when I created this, that this is different from what I’ve done before. This started it all; it inspired me to do the Ad Meliora series,” he told the Varsitarian.
A total of 26 works are on display in Meliora, with each of them interpreting steps in the process of becoming “better.”
Among the acrylic on paper pieces on exhibit is the 9×12-in. piece titled “Regaining Confidence,” which features bold brush strokes with abstract black swirls resembling wings.
“Waiting for the Morning,” another 9×12-in. acrylic on paper, emulates dawn with its strokes of black paint on one side and orange on the other.
In “Learning Style,” also a 9×12-in. acrylic on paper, Trinidad makes use of neutral colors to contrast the other pieces in the exhibit.
Trinidad’s Meliora exhibit will run until March 16.
