Art Review: Waterproof – An Exposition of Watercolor Works

Waterproof is an exhibit at the Qube Gallery that features some of the best watercolor painters in the country. Painter such as Pablo Baen Santos, Fred Galan, Maxcel Migallos, Pempe Ybanez, Billy Pomida and Jose Kimsoy Yap were included in the exhibit. The exhibit runs from September 9 to 24, 2014.

For us who do not know watercolor (American English) or watercolour (Commonwealth and Ireland), also aquarelle from French, is a painting method in which the paints are made of pigments suspended in a water-soluble vehicle. The term “watercolor” refers to both the medium and the resulting artwork.

Watercolors are usually transparent, and appear luminous because the pigments are laid down in a relatively pure form with few fillers obscuring the pigment colors.

This exhibit is easy to understand because you already know what to expect. It is all about the watercolors, it is as simple as that.

The audience does not need to wonder what the artists’ are trying to convey or the symbolism of the figures. The audience also does not need to know all art terms and what because the exhibition showcases the beauty of this old painting method, its techniques and its possibilities.

One of the masters of watercolor in the country is Jose Kimsoy Yap and he lives up to that reputation in this exhibit. His works truly show his mastery of the medium; fluid and beautiful. His works show us that what we young apprentices still need to do a lot rice eating before we achieve his level.

Another artists that I am impressed at are the works of  Pempe Ybanez. His “Good Morning Gensan”, paiting  looked realistic but not  like a photograph; it looked realistic in a watercolor kind of a way. His paintings of rusty and dirty boats are no longer eye sores, it has become appealing.

Then the big watercolor paintings of Fred Galan was also notable. I don’t see a lot of watercolor paintings that big so his works indeed caught my attention. The size of his watercolor paintings also makes you wonder about the process of painting watercolor especially if you consider the unpredictability of the medium.

If you want to learn some watercolor techniques or just want to appreciate or study  works from the masters then Waterproof – An Exposition of Watercolor Works is the exhibit you should not fail to watch.

Qube Gallery is located at the Henry Hotel, One Paseo, Ma. Luisa Rd., Banilad, Cebu City.

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. He also plays the bass and sings for the band – PALTIK.