Spontaneity and collaboration define the work and creative process of Kiwi artist, Tony Piggot or Ynnot among his colleagues. Piggot’s art is mostly produced at the moment and he does it with the help of his friends. This artist has since been engaged in this sort of practice: artmaking with the sense of immediate, communal and lateral. Old Genes is a range of works that has been produced in this frame and creative approach.
 

'Old Genes: art, here and now' featured portraits, drawings and visual matters which were done over time while some are the results of fleeting live art sessions aided by music, dance and thoroughly fed by the creative energies of others. 
 

According to Piggot, everything is raw, organic and definitely not constricted by any sort of expectations. “They are complete as much as they raw. All are finished but remain to be works in progress and we haven’t even started “Piggot said.
 

Most of what is shown here was produced in a state of “spontaneity, everything at the moment” and always, each has a story behind it. Every swath of paint on canvas documents the place, its creators and the muses, creative energies which shaped every piece. Some of the pieces were collaborations with Manisha Lee who has been Piggot’s long time collaborator and these canvases talk about a special relationship, one that is shaped and alive which such mutually creative exchange. While the other pieces on display were done in Manila with the collaboration of various artists.

In an undulating movement of brushwork, some of these paintings offer meditative moments while others are composed in clumps of color and wild trajectories of paint. These canvases become evidences of an unexpectedly experimental spirit which abounds Piggot’s company of artists.

Also included in the show are his graphically compelling pen and ink sketches in all their handsome intricacies. In sum, these are artworks with such abolished logic that intuit a lot of feelings, emotions which provide a lot of opportunities to ruminate on: love, connections, freedom, and being detatching from inhibitions. In most cases, these oeuvres invade and confront our inner sanctums, engaging us to see and just finding beauty and pure truth.   
 

It is a solo show, however, Pinggot can hardly claim any works his own. The process involved in making them is unique as sharing each canvas with one or more artists provides such an insigthful balance as the artists dig into such inventiveness and fertile imagination. Without restraint but only teeming impulses, Piggot’s process becomes a way seeing from another perspective or perhaps sharing his own lenses until something is esthetically realized.
 

Within this approach, Piggot process has also been liberated. As a context for the show, it’s been all out with the connections, his brief stays in other countries and now in Manila. It’s the result of a process of meeting people and finding connections and what these connections mean. In fact, his studio on Baler St, Makati exists in a dynamic sphere of connections. It has developed into a community from verily divergent states of mind and alternative cultures. It has become a place that nurtures and fosters creativity and curiosity. Musicians become painters, visual artist learn to perform and open their mind on things and creative forms. Exchange steadily refines his own views in the eyes of others.

'Old Genes: art, here and now' was held at the Tower Club in Makati City.

Press release and photos from Tony Piggot