Art Review – Malignant Flux

Qube Gallery presented Malignant Flux last April 9 to April 30, 2015 at the Henry Hotel, One Paseo along Maria Luisa Road in Banilad. The exhibit showcased street artists Soika Vomiter, Lean Reboja, RV Sanchez and the Bart Brothers.

For an art show that was advertised as something bold and vulgar, the title seemed formal, which intrigued me to find out what those two words mean. According to my research, the word malignant is defined as invasive, uncontrollable and dangerous while flux, on the other hand, means continuous change. If the two words are combined together, invasive and consistent change is the definition that comes out, and with that meaning, it does fits right in with the art exhibit.

Bart Yummy Bombs Karnivore Acrylic on Canvas 100X55CM 2015. PHP13,500

Indeed the show was a malignant flux, which portrayed invasive and consistent change. Was it an invasion? Yes, these artists are invading the Cebuano culture, one of them being the Cebuano art scene. They are slowly creeping in our subconscious which is resulting to us changing; changing our definitions of what is beautiful, telling us that what art in the streets is just dirty or low brow, but it can also be beautiful –ruggedly handsome.

This change will bother us but it can also influence us. For some people, that change will be resisted because painting on walls you don’t own is still vandalism. Unlike art presented in galleries, that is still the way to go.

Lean Reboja The Training Field Acrylic on Canvas 51X41CM 2015. PHP 4000-SOLD

For some people, that change will be embraced. Qube gallery has chosen to embrace that change, which allowed them to feature an art show that was indeed bold and vulgar.

The exhibit was proof that the “street art movement” in Cebu is a legitimate force to reckon with not in the future but now. It showed that the flexibility of these young artists, whatever the medium or the venue, they can still deliver their own brand of creativity, and  their signature works can still preserved their own identity and vision despite the factors that clashes their artwork.

Soika a Van Gogh Fan Selfie With Worms Mixed Media 61X61CM 2015. PHP6000

These artists can get dirty, but nonetheless, they can also get formal whenever the situation arises.

So to all of us who don’t know about the street art movement, it is time you get to know about them now. We need to know that change, this malignant flux, is here now, an invasive consistent change that could one day be a revolution.

About the author: N.M. CABANGBANG graduated Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Painting at University of the Philippines Cebu. He is now currently teaching grade 6 – 10 Art at B.R.I.G.H.T. Academy.