"Color Contrast" Exhibit

The "Color Contrast" art exhibit opened at Qube Gallery on January 15. A lot of art enthusiasts, art collectors from the elite group and a few media personalities gathered for the event. The two artists' works were so unique that it drew a lot of praises from the crowd. Camille Ver, one of the artists was present while Juvenal Sanso couldn't make it to the opening of the exhibit.

Camille Ver, born in 1980, is one of the foremost contemporary abstractionists in the Philippines. In recent years, Ver's oeuvre has been primarily concerned with architectural abstraction. Aggressively manipulating the lines and forms of cityscapes, Ver prefers large swaths of brushstrokes and experimentations in color.

Ver graduated from the University of the Philippines' College of Fine Arts in 2003, majoring in Painting. She later took a special course in Interior Design at the Philippine Institute of Interior Design, which laid the foundation for her future interest in architectural abstraction. Her influences include Russian abstract art pioneer Vasilly Kandinsky, as well as members of New York school of abstract expressionism, such as Mark Rothko and Willem de Kooning. Her first influences, however, came from the 19th century European expressionist Van Gogh and Manet to name a few.

Ver's body of work allows viewers to contextualize the compositions as works of exploring the urban perspective whilst remaining true to the sensibilities of abstraction within the realm of visual art - highly reminiscent of Wassily Kandinsky's works. The broader composition of acrylic is often layered with lines drawn in with a tec pen, bringing detail and order to an otherwise blurred form.

Camille Ver has had 9 solo shows - the last four of which were organized by Galerie Stephanie. She is also active in community organizing, being one of the co-founders of the Master's Art Workshop, an art initiative that helps underprivileged children.

Taking into consideration her exciting portfolio, Camille Ver is definitely poised to become an important player in the development of abstract expressionism in the country's visual art scene.

Ver's "Building Light" and Sanso's "Black and White" are collections that speak not just of contrast in color but of contemplating expressions of both a rising young abstractionist and a foremost celebrated master. In light of Qube's second anniversary, the art gallery commences the year with nothing but a promise of perfect combinations, interesting pieces and top of-the-line artists. Marking the two awesome years of Qube Gallery in the art scene, locally, nationally and internationally, Camille Ver and Juvenal Senso definitely make for an interesting pair. "Color Contrast" may seem self-explanatory, but beyond what meets the eye is the harmony and complementation of styles, subject and significance of works. Exhibits runs until Feb 10.