CEBU, Philippines - I am not a fan of boxing and I have never seen a single fight of Emmanuel Depidran Pacquiao known as Manny Pac-Man Pacquiao.
However I have great respect and admiration for the honor he has brought to his country, the Philippines. He is the first boxer in history to win 10 world titles in eight different weight divisions.
His behavior and conduct has always been of the highest standard maintaining his humility and dedication inspite of his immense success.
When the opportunity arose to see an art exhibit that showcased different action shots from his many fights, I welcomed the occasion believing this would be the closest I would get to the ring.
Held at the Gallery 865, Cebu-based French artist Delphine de Lorme impressed the guests with her vivid and full of life paintings that depicted the Filipino boxing champ in his glory.
Contrast is a recurring theme in de Lorme’s work. She shows interest in the paradox of life, striving to express that life is both magical and tragic. This is achieved by the recklessly torn bits of paper that forms parts of her paintings.
Her large canvass crisscrossed with bold strokes of shrill, vibrant color, her sharp brushstrokes in which borders fade away marked by strong mixed media treatment provide something of a visual shock that interrogates viewers on the nature of reality.
She works from ads, provocative titles, comics, layering vintage French cinema posters with ripped edges. Her works often times divert from the matter from its initial meaning by reinterpreting it and suggesting other narrative, a critical approach intended to arouse awareness.
De Lorme’s first exhibition was held in Saint Paul de Vence, France in 2002. She had other exhibits that included the Universal World Expo in Aichi, Japan, the Opera Gallery in Paris, Singapore and soon in Manila. (FREEMAN)