DIVIDES

Divides by Rhett Eala
September 01, 2010, Wednesday
6-9pm

Renowned fashion designer Rhett Eala celebrates his 20th year in fashion with a different kind of show at Silverlens. Entitled Divides, Eala's show explores another medium of his creative expression, painting - something he has done on and off all his life.

Just like how he did it with the successful Collezione clothing brand, Eala explores his fascination with the iconic Philippine map, albeit this time through monochromatic paintings. Drawn to the unique shape of the Philippine archipelago, Eala reinvents how the map is viewed and displayed. He made the Filipino theme fashionable, and now with Divides, he makes it art.

Divides is a series of white maps painted on a white background; their black versions; and their red versions. "When you have images painted in the same hue you tend to look closer at the images", Eala explains. He invites his audience to take a close look at the cracks in the paint that hold the image together and the texture of the many layers.

The imagery is recognizable and resonant. With the Philippine map is the University of the Philippines Oblation, which he aptly describes as "one the few iconic sculptures in the country". Eala delves into the symbolism of the images, and their power to invoke pride and nationalism. And because the images are in various orientations and repeating throughout the canvas, it is seeing the icons like never before. From fashion to art, Eala showcases his many facets as an artist, at the same time, he forges new ways of looking at things so familiar.

Divides opens simultaneously with An Hour in a Glass Balloon by Chati Coronel at SLab; and Contra-Affair by Dina Gadia in 20SQUARE.

An Artist Talk and Slideshow by Rhett Eala will be on September 15, Wed, 6-8pm at Silverlens Gallery.

For inquiries, contact Silverlens Gallery at 2/F YMC Bldg. II, 2320 Pasong Tamo Ext., Makati, 816-0044, 0917-5874011, or manage@silverlensphoto.com. Gallery hours are Monday to Friday 10am–7pm and Saturdays 1–6pm. www.silverlensphoto.com / slab.silverlensphoto.com.

Words: Bea Davila; Image: Rhett Eala, Eldest Son, 2010