Frederick Epistola launched an exhibit of his latest works, “Textured Existence”, back-to-back with “La Figura En Oro”, last July 13, 2012 at Sweet Bella Café, Burgos Circle, Global City.
Textured Existence is a collection of ten paintings on canvas, rendered in acrylic paint. These are the most recent works of Frederick B Epistola. The paintings were inspired by the artist’s impressions and reflections on man and his interaction with his society, his conscious existence and self-awareness. These artworks chronicle the artist’s emotional journey, his discovery of man’s vocation and the meanderings of his human heart, all culminating in self-knowledge. These works have served as the artist’s refuge…his sanctuary.
Epistola also launched his new series of sculptures entitled La Figura En Oro. Those are ten table-top sculptures made of twisted metal with gold finish and cold porcelain. Humanity and human relationships are the dominant themes of Epistola’s sculptures.
Frederick Espitola is a compulsive but ingenious visual artist who has a capacity to disregard traditional doctrines of art. A cosmopolitan and influenced by German expressionist painters, as well as, by the American abstract expressionist movement in the 1950s as exemplified by works of Wilhelm De Kooning and Jackson Pollock, his art is an abandonment of traditional ideas of composition, expressing a desire to liberate while at the same time restraining the imagery within the confines of a given space. Not letting his dyslexia hold him back, Espitola concentrated on perfecting his strokes and technique, thus projecting a mastery of both intuition and control in his artworks.
Espistola's work is a product of vision, emotion, thoughts and juxtaposition of object, color and texture, all of which dwell on the remarkable consistent themes of existence and universality; on two persistent subjects: life and emotions; and on certain mood: concealing and revealing. By integrating spontaneous imagery with philosophies and confining them into small frames and spaces, Epistola leads viewers to look closely and become sensually involved in the artworks texture and colors.
Frederick Espitola is a compulsive but ingenious visual artist who has a capacity to disregard traditional doctrines of art. A cosmopolitan and influenced by German expressionist painters, as well as, by the American abstract expressionist movement in the 1950s as exemplified by works of Wilhelm De Kooning and Jackson Pollock, his art is an abandonment of traditional ideas of composition, expressing a desire to liberate while at the same time restraining the imagery within the confines of a given space. Not letting his dyslexia hold him back, Espitola concentrated on perfecting his strokes and technique, thus projecting a mastery of both intuition and control in his artworks.
Espistola's work is a product of vision, emotion, thoughts and juxtaposition of object, color and texture, all of which dwell on the remarkable consistent themes of existence and universality; on two persistent subjects: life and emotions; and on certain mood: concealing and revealing. By integrating spontaneous imagery with philosophies and confining them into small frames and spaces, Epistola leads viewers to look closely and become sensually involved in the artworks texture and colors.
In 2006, two of his works were included in the permanent collection of the prestigious International Museum of Collage, Assemblage and Construction based in Texas, USA. In 2008, his work has been featured in Limited Edition Art Calendar i d Painters for Human Rights which was distributed internationally. He is the first Asian to achieve such feats. Known to be a social artist, Epistola's work can also be found in the collection of the Painters for Human Rights in Florida, USA and Union of Young Peace builders based in Switzerland. In 2010, his work "After the Rubble" which formed part of the Doodle for Haiti exhibit was auctioned off at the Accademia dello Scarabocchio in Matera, Italy to raise funds for the Haiti earthquake victims.
Experimenting continually, Epistola in 2007 tried his hand at other materials, primarily used steel and stone, and created his very first collection of metal sculptures. calling himself a "socio-realist" sculptor, Epistola dies not focus on appearances, which tells of his sculptures not depicting people and events but showing ideas and emotions. At their best, his works brim with movement and tension - all representations of man's interaction with society and his struggle with everyday life. Using heat and taking advantage of the metal's malleability, Epistola tries to bring out the personality, emotion and inner essence of a particular subject in his sculptures.
Sponsored by Mercedes-Benz Malaysia in 2008, Epistola successfully held a one-man show entitled Global Compact: Helping Improve Lives Through a Fusion of Art and technology at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Center-Malaysia. He is currently preparing for a second run of the Global Compact exhibit with Mercedes-Benz Club Philippines this December 2012.
Experimenting continually, Epistola in 2007 tried his hand at other materials, primarily used steel and stone, and created his very first collection of metal sculptures. calling himself a "socio-realist" sculptor, Epistola dies not focus on appearances, which tells of his sculptures not depicting people and events but showing ideas and emotions. At their best, his works brim with movement and tension - all representations of man's interaction with society and his struggle with everyday life. Using heat and taking advantage of the metal's malleability, Epistola tries to bring out the personality, emotion and inner essence of a particular subject in his sculptures.
Sponsored by Mercedes-Benz Malaysia in 2008, Epistola successfully held a one-man show entitled Global Compact: Helping Improve Lives Through a Fusion of Art and technology at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Center-Malaysia. He is currently preparing for a second run of the Global Compact exhibit with Mercedes-Benz Club Philippines this December 2012.
Drawn to Fluxus - an art movement which originated in the 1960s and mixes the ideals of the Dada, Bauhaus and the Zen movements - Epistola, which his ever-evolving aesthetic practices and approach to arts, further honed his skills and talents in mixed media by incorporating the cultural, political and sociological aspects of everyday living into his art. By taking things out of their contexts and rearranging them in interesting ways, Epistola wit his spontaneity and expressive approach to art, strives to create masterpieces which focus on culture, creativity and the human consciousness. Among his notable exhibits are: "Miniature Masterpieces" (September 2010), Gallery 2929 ASWARA, national Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; "Fluxus Amusements, Diversions, Games, Tricks and Puzzles" (October 2010), Flux Museum, Fort Worth texa, USA; "No Commercial Potential" (2010), Venezia, Italy; and "Project d'Art Postal: World Without Water" (2010), ARTOTEM, Ouistreham, France. He is also the founder of the Fluxus Society of the Philippines.
Just recently (2010), two of Espitola's artworks were included in the Collage/Assemblage Centennial 1912-2012. This is a publication which documents the history of collage arts through its 100 years of evolution and existence.
Frederick Epistola earned his Bachelor's Degree in fine Arts, major in Visual Communication in 1996 at the University of the Philippines. He is a member of the Global Collage Movement and the International Union of Mail Artists (IUOMA), both based in the United States. His book - Captured Culture: AN Interpretative Portrait of Paranaque City was launched in February 2007. His work entitled "The 12 Disciples" was also featured in the art book "Living with Art" by Dr. Alma Maria P. Pilarta - Figueras and Rene B. Javellana.
Just recently (2010), two of Espitola's artworks were included in the Collage/Assemblage Centennial 1912-2012. This is a publication which documents the history of collage arts through its 100 years of evolution and existence.
Frederick Epistola earned his Bachelor's Degree in fine Arts, major in Visual Communication in 1996 at the University of the Philippines. He is a member of the Global Collage Movement and the International Union of Mail Artists (IUOMA), both based in the United States. His book - Captured Culture: AN Interpretative Portrait of Paranaque City was launched in February 2007. His work entitled "The 12 Disciples" was also featured in the art book "Living with Art" by Dr. Alma Maria P. Pilarta - Figueras and Rene B. Javellana.
