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The (HE)ART of Painting Hapag
by GINO DORMIENDO
THE FIRST SOLO exhibit of Joey Velasco is not intended for the callous of
heart and those totally bereft of compassion. Neither are his works meant
for those who regard artists as mere purveyors of beautiful images to be hung
on the wall.
With his large, plywood-size oil paintings as well as relief wood sculptures
documenting the lives and collective journey of a group of street children
in various parts of Metro Manila , impoverished, neglected and abused, the
artist has struck a sensitive chord by opting to do his unique kind of advocacy
work. By interacting with these kids of the city’s slums, he sought
to expose their abject existence, both in his art and through the book he
wrote that documents their lives.
Titled “Hapág: Faith Beyond the Canvas,” (ArtAsia Gallery,
4th Floor, SM Megamall, Oct. 13-30), the exhibit is designed to call attention
to the sad plight of our less fortunate brethren, the young and innocent children
of the metropolis. The artist started work while undergoing treatment for
kidney disease (a large mass in his left kidney had to be removed), and by
the time he was through with the treatment, he found himself totally immersed
in completing a series of paintings on the plight of the children. The stories
they shared had moved him to create the paintings and write the book.
Velasco, a 39-year-old ex-seminarian from Don Bosco in Pampanga, has produced
an entire tableau of hope and redemption made possible by one’s faith.
Working in a style that is reminiscent of such masters as Titian, Velasquez
and Caravaggio, Velasco situates the children in the context of Jesus Christ’s
apostolic life. With Christ virtually present in each canvas, the artist admonishes
us to do our part in building a Christian community. These scenes are heart-rending
as they are awe-inspiring even to non-believers and agnostics.
The largest mural is “Hapag ng Pag-asa,” a 4 x 8 ft mural involving
the 12 children and Christ also shown with them, partaking of food in the
manner of the Last Supper. The image has been replicated in huge billboards
and many passersby have reportedly been moved by the message it carried.
These are, of course, all real characters that Velasco has individually painted
in the other works and their figures are delineated in flesh-and-blood configuration,
in the style of the European masters, from their grimy visage down to their
table manners. One must not fail to see the child on the floor, hungrily eating
the left-over food. Particularly striking is Velasco’s unique ability
to show emotion with the visage --- darting eyes and all.
Velasco admitted the use of a model for Christ, a mestizo whose features he
altered by making his face gaunt and grimy. But the children, he insists,
are all authentic, and they are captured in the manner of cinema verité,
with little alterations save perhaps by what the brush has done in the name
of verisimilitude. That he learned how to do portraits just a year and a half
ago makes the artist’s feat all the more incredible, if not totally
unbelievable. But he has achieved it, and can only gape in such display of
skill and talent.
A number of the works, ostensibly smaller in size, have Christ in the company
of an old man whom the artist met in Home for the Aged while doing his missionary
work. The piece, “Atrofia: You Are My Strength” shows the subject
hugging Christ, clutching his crown of thorns. Another painting, “Heal
our Land,” shows Christ’s hands clasped in prayer, a Filipino
flag draping his arms. The pieces that literally take our heart away are those
showing the children in casual and intimate conversation with the Master,
as in “My Life Is in Your Hands” with a cripple boy of 10 and
his elder sister being comforted by the Master.
There are more scenes of the Hapág children that are better seen in
the gallery walls of Artasia rather than vicariously experienced here. Velasco
calls them the story of our people’s own redemption. The exhibit opens
on October 13, 6 p.m. at Artasia, Art Walk, SM Megamall.
One may also peruse the book “They Have Jesus: The Stories of the Children
of Hapag,” which will be simultaneously launched on October 13, at the
Book Fair Exhibit in the Megatrade Trade Hall, 5th floor, Bldg A, SM Megamall.
Velasco’s other works, together with cause-oriented artists, will soon
be touring parts of the country, through Gawad Kalinga. more
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