A UST Engineering instructor fuses her passion for the arts and sciences in her first solo art show that opened on Aug. 23 at Improv Art Gallery in Quezon City.
Kestrel Reyes of the Department of Chemical Engineering showcases paintings that portray a harmony of science and art.
Despite her chemical engineering background, art has always been a part of her life, serving as “the balance within,” Reyes said.
The exhibit, titled, “Chaos and Control,” draws inspiration from the “visuals” seen by an engineer and college instructor.
For instance, she incorporates patterns drawn from laboratory equipment, revealing nanoscale structures in her artwork.
“I want to emphasize the intensity of a different world. It gives us a different window, a different perspective, and it evokes feelings among all of us.” Reyes told the Varsitarian.
Her series of bird paintings seeks to capture the soulful nature of the avian creatures.
One of the pieces on display is “Passer Montanus 15,” a 12×12-in. acrylic painting of a Eurasian Tree Sparrow.
Another work on exhibit is “Nisaetus Pinskeri,” a 36×24-in. painting of the Pinsker’s hawk-eagle.
“The emotions are quite complex…as a viewer, you can just feel the emotions, the facial expressions of the birds…hindi siya fixed sa isang emotion,” Reyes said.
Reyes also explores abstract landscapes in “The Wild Path,” a 24×36-in acrylic and mixed-media on canvas piece.
“As far as the abstracts…the dimensions, this is heavily inspired by the different views that we don’t see in the naked eye,” Reyes said.
integrating natural elements in portraying the intricate nature of wildlife, while using art to embody real-life issues, such as the destruction of species and habitat.
“This is me resigning to the loss of nature. By being objective to these issues. At the same time, promoting the blooming biodiversity,” she said.
“Chaos and Control” runs from Aug. 23 to Sept. 20. K. T. C. Barrameda
