"One Man Sio" at the Qube

Setting of a marvelous art exhibit of Professor Dennis "Sio" Montera a few weeks ago was the Qube Gallery at The Henry Hotel. Immediately after the opening of the exhibit, cocktails followed as guests were mesmerized over the solo exhibit of Prof. Sio featuring his premier collection of abstract works. As usual, in attendance were art collectors, friends and relatives of the artist and some members of the media.

The ability to capture the "abstract truths" of life in a visual composition is what inspires Prof. Dennis E. Montera to do abstract art. For Sio, as he is popularly known in the art circle, it is awe-inspiring that many art enthusiasts are deeply moved by his artworks.

"One Man Sio" at the Qube Gallery opened on June 18 and closed on July 16. Defying the much current trend of "modest" or "provisional" abstraction, the exhibit exudes the intuitive yet rational decision-making process of creating a painting, the multi-faceted characteristic of acrylic-based texturized and oxidized asphalt as alternative media intended to build-up tactile surfaces in the paintings,the enhancements made through the traditional acrylic paint producing layered compositions, and the consequential actions of painting as creative activity.

Decorated with awards, distinctions, and active leadership involvement in various professional art groups, Sio is an Associate Professor at the Fine Arts Department in U.P. Cebu, passionately and pro-actively pursuing professional art for the past 15 years. With a very rich academic and creative background, his works technically fall under the category of gestural painting from the broad abstract expressionist movement. "One man Sio" works on exhibit are non-figurative art deeply rooted in the Filipino value and sensibility. The exhibit is a celebration of a decade of abstraction in Sio's artistic career. Introspectively, the exhibit showcases various compositional techniques that Sio mastered over the years, also providing an avenue for re-examination of his growth in the field. Moreover, the new collection of his works allows for the reading of oneself - the contextual meaning of each single piece becomes central to the artwork's physical element and form.

On a more personal note, prolific artist and professor, Dennis Sio E. Montera, believes in a higher omnipresent Creator who is the source of his creativity. For this, he honors and glorifies Him, thus this "One Man Sio!"