Cebuano artist gets cheeky, cerebral with rubber cut prints

In his first solo exhibit “Disturbing My Peace" at the Gallery Q in Mandaue City, Cebuano artist Jose Santos “Chong" P. Ardivilla lets it all rip on rubber cut prints. Rubber works At times cheeky, Ardivilla’s cerebral insights on life and the world in general stand out because of his chosen medium—rubber soles. It’s not what most people would expect.

Ardivilla explains, “Rubber cut print is a vibrant medium that’s been used by politicized artists in the 20th century. Jews in Nazi ghettos used rubber cut prints when their canvases and paintbrushes were taken from them. They cut out the rubber slabs from their floors or shoes and carved out their frustration and anger. This is but one noble example on the viability and dynamism this humble art form can offer." In other words, this is an art form that is not elitist. Anyone can do it. But just how exactly is it done? Old school “First, I get a slab of rubber," Ardivilla explained. “Then, using carving implements, I gouge out the areas that shouldn’t be printed. When the artwork’s design is complete, I set it aside. I put a dollop of printer’s ink onto a clear acrylic plate. Next, I smooth out the ink with a roller, which I use to spread the ink evenly on the rubber sole. Once this is done, I put a blank piece of paper on top of the rubber slab and apply pressure on it. I peel off the paper and let the ink dry. I add colors later on." This was how Ardivilla carved out pieces of art that are startling commentaries on various subjects—from existential angst to political issues. The title piece, for example, recalls Son of Man, an iconic painting done by Belgian surrealist René Magritte in 1964. But while Magritte’s piece inspired quiet introspection with its central figure of man whose face is covered by a green apple, Ardivilla’s Disturbing My Peace features a smoking figure in a suit who has a gun for a head. It’s literal and literary at the same time. Other pieces like Pistil Whip, For a Moment There, and A Terrible Beauty showcase the same sort of twisted humor. Looking at the prints, you often find yourself starting to laugh—and then you tell yourself, “I should not be laughing at this." Ardivilla, though, knows when to ease off the black humor and rage against the machine. Para los Desaparecidos and Our Lady of Urban Decay demonstrate his more serious and politicized side. This, of course, comes from his training as an editorial cartoonist. Then again, Ardivilla’s exhibit is, for the most part, all about personal symbolism. Homecoming party Though Ardivilla is now based in Manila and is a teacher at the University of the Philippines-Manila, he chose to have his first solo exhibit in Cebu because he wanted to pay homage to the place where he grew up, as well as celebrate the burgeoning Cebuano art scene. “Disturbing My Peace," which boasts of 20 rubber cut prints, opened last November 3 and runs until November 19. - GMANews.TV Gallery Q is located at A.S. Fortuna Street, Mandaue City, Cebu. For more information, log on to norkisgalleryq.multiply.com or send an email to norkisgalleryq@yahoo.com.