Create your own meaning in 'Walking on thin ice'

It is difficult to describe Zean Cabangis’ work without resorting to dichotomous analogy. His images are at once new and nostalgic, dark and bright, strange and familiar. His second solo exhibit Walking on Thin Ice is aptly titled, his works gently drawing the viewer close, whispering vaguely then letting go, leaving you to create your own meaning. The exhibit opened at Artinformal on April 7, only seven months after his first solo show "whowhatwhenwherehowwhy" at Silverlens. While his first show was a tribute to memory and its loss, Cabangis’ sophomore exhibit is an exploration of gray areas.

"whowhatwhenwherehowwhy" was a collection of works inspired by a beloved grandmother who was afflicted with Alzheimer's Disease. "I painted the images and memories na natitira sa kanya habang lumalala yung Alzheimer’s niya. Meron siyang weird habit na lagi siyang kumakanta ng Bahay Kubo pero hanggang sa patani lang yung lyrics niya, parang naka loop," says Cabangis. "Habang gumagawa ako, mas madali pag personal… kasi galing sa memory mo, madaling mag-construct ng narrative," says Cabangis. His second show is personal but laced with historical references too. "Nung nag-umpisa ako, gusto ko based sa history – katulad ng room ni Rizal…" says Cabangis. Gesturing towards another painting, he adds, “… at tarmac experience na yung kay Ninoy na hindi pa rin nare-resolve hanggang ngayon," says Cabangis. It is in this mood of unresolved cases that the 26 year-old artist's exhibit is set. In "Walking on Thin Ice," his cryptic titles thread his works together, guiding the viewer loosely but surely. Using acrylic and collage, Cabangis creates stories open to interpretation – his art mere suggestions of what has happened, what is happening, what might happen next. In his triptychs "kaya n'ya daw," "sabi na nga ba," akala ko kaya ko," and "sabi mo, oo," cloudy scenes are interrupted by bright vertical lines reminiscent of a television screen after midnight. In "cell," "borderline," "splash," "dwell" and "settle" he presents places both inside and outside, arranging and rearranging shape and space with his intriguing use of light and shadow. The one-word titles are by no means summaries of the works they label. Rather they are points of departure, ideas that the viewer builds upon. In "that's what she did, that's not what she meant", tiny roses are intriguing on the canvas of dull blue and gray. Such details spring a surprise in Cabangis' work. His images are large and focused – but looking at the works, the eye is drawn to the corners, the intricate strokes, the point where the line curves and stillness moves. Though his scenes are veiled in a dreamlike haze, they cue the senses so that one can almost smell the gunpowder in "gathering," see the sky in "keeper" and feel the soft fabric of the girl's dress in "there's always something missing." His work asks, as in "malalaman mo kaya", and answers, as in "pwede naman pala." The viewer here is both observer & co-creator. His audience listens to Cabangis’ tale and tells the tale along with the artist. Cabangis himself has a favorite in the show, an airplane triptych which serves as the exhibit's main work. "Nanood lang ako ng TV tapos naisip ko lang. From zero to hero," he laughs. He says he doesn't have to look for inspiration or motivation to create his artworks. "Gusto ko naman yung ginagawa ko, hindi na kailangan," he says. Cabangis next exhibit is a group show in May. When not busy painting, he can be found taking care of his goldfish, drinking, or on Facebook. - AY, GMA News All photos courtesy of Zean Cabangis