‘Indwelling’: To have faith is to have life
His usual calm countenance was what Dr. Alex Ayco was wearing when his first solo exhibition, “Indwelling,” opened last Sunday at the Gallery 7 of Pinto Art Museum in Antipolo City. His serenity was intuitive, Zen-like; like there was a divine force present at the gallery that day.
“Indwelling means the divine presence, like the Holy Spirit, in a person’s life. It’s the central belief in many Christians’ faith that God dwells within us. God is with us, that’s why we receive blessings every day.” That’s how Alex explained the theme of his exhibit, which runs until March 4.
Alex, a cardiologist, has God in his heart every day. Not a day will pass without him going to Mass. Somehow, he has made it his advocacy to bring people to Mass. And “Indwelling” is perhaps his way of putting into art his desire to bring people closer to God.
An art piece titled “Indwelling” figures prominently on a wall in Gallery 7. It’s an assemblage of a carved-from-mango wooden lady mounted on an antique narra door. Around her are doves made of mango wood, too. Rays of light are painted on the door. A close scrutiny will manifest a scene depicting how it is to receive grace.
The woman in “Indwelling,” Alex said, symbolizes the grace of God. “Grace,” he said, “is identified, portrayed as a woman in the Book of Wisdom.” The entirety of the artwork is a manifestation of why people are recipients of God’s grace — because they are God’s own creations.
With his 53 artworks consisting of paintings, pieces of sculpture and installation works on exhibit, it was as if Alex brought the church to Pinto’s Gallery 7. Faith is the major theme. And if one is lacking in it, the artworks will remind one of God — His divinity, His omnipotence, His promises.'
An interesting assemblage is titled “Buffet of Faith in a Cariton.” It’s a wooden cart painted in acrylic loaded with all kinds of faith: a Buddha head, little bululs, candles reduced to dripping wax, an image of Joseph and Mary, a rosary, ang pao envelopes, round fruits and dotted fabrics, even real Louis Vuitton, Prada and Hermes items and a wad of money to denote faith in wealth and material things.
“Buffet of Faith” is a smorgasbord of convictions and beliefs. The artist, a devout Catholic, tries to dissect the culture of one’s faith that ventures towards believing that even colored candles sold in Quiapo Church have their meanings and intentions. Included in the assemblage is an interesting explanation of the colors of the candles, a sociological touch to a rather complex artwork: red for love, purity and courage; yellow for happiness and wisdom; green for money and abundance; blue for calmness and loyalty; white for purity and balance; pink for forgiveness and humor; violet to keep evil away, also for power; orange for career and business.
Alex’s exhibit — all the artworks on display were done during the pandemic years — is an invitation for cultural and divine reflections. His pieces of sculpture, primarily in wood and found objects, testify to an unshakeable faith — and why it should remain that way.
As an objet d’art, his “Grace” is a promise more than a piece of art. Depicted in the artwork is a wooden sculpture resting inside a wooden frame. The frame is lined with freshwater pearls. Two wooden hands, black and brown, support the piece. There’s an energy of abundance and humility. There’s a promise of plenty, a promise of grace.
“Ecce Homo” is a painful wooden sculpture if only one focuses on the crown of thorns that pierce the head of Christ. The sculpture presents just the side-view of Christ’s head with a luminous glass eye; yet you imagine seeing the totality of a scourged, bound and crowned Jesus and hear Pontius Pilate saying “Ecce homo” when he presented the Son of God to a restless, inimical crowd before His crucifixion. The piece is like a Post-It for those who have forgotten the travails Christ had to go through 2,000 years ago for mankind to be saved.
A painting tilted “Holy Darkness,” acrylic on canvas, is a depiction of beauty in pain. Looking at it makes one think of the life of Job — and why God allowed a good follower like him to suffer. The answer is simple: for purification.
Alex’s “One in Him” is a moving painting of acrylic on canvas where God forgives the sinner who confesses of his sins.
“God is a loving God. He is a God of forgiveness. He gives new beginnings. And all of these emanate from his unending love for us,” Alex said.
“Indwelling” is both an artistic pursuit and a gospel of truth. Faith is an intrinsic part of life because it heals, it powers the dream, it mends brokenness. It cures.
Alex Ayco, through his art, is a conduit in evangelizing that to have faith, is to have life. *
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