Maya Muñoz, Portrait Slow Burn. M.L., 2018, oil, beeswax and enamel on canvas, 137 x 123 cm
Kantil Moderato (Slow Tempo Edge) is the first solo exhibition of Filipino artist Maya Muñoz in Singapore. In Kantil Moderato, the line between painting and poetry is further blurred, as what can be seen, can somehow be felt. Evident in Maya Muñoz’ exhibition is her repetitive use of subject matter, her quintessential neo-expressionist depiction of figures and the embedded psychological acuity in each of her works. After years of concentrating on abstraction, Muñoz finds her way back to portraiture and figuration and fuses them with the textural and compositional elements of her abstract works.
The subjects in these new works range from anonymous sitters to Andrew Cunanan and Manny Pacquiao – drawing back to subjects Muñoz’ has referenced in her prolific career. Muñoz’ combination of the physicality of abstraction and intimacy of figuration spawns into a commentary on what it is to be human, to be felt and expressed beyond the bounds of visual or verbal norms. It closely reflects her inspiration for the exhibition – Marguerite Duras’ Moderato Cantabile, in which the story starts off as a depiction of one’s banal daily routine and ends up with a violent and tragic act. In this exhibition, the works not only serves as mere introspection of Muñoz on her subjects but may as well be seen as questions directed to her audience. A question on how it is to be at the edge of our finite mortality; how it feels to be at the edge of a moment of violence; and how to perceive the brink of life.
Opening: Saturday, 27 October 2018, 4 – 7pm
Venue: Yavuz Gallery, Gillman Barracks, 9 Lock Road #02-23, Singapore 108937
Opening Hours: 11am to 7pm (Tue to Sat); 1pm to 5pm (Sun). Closed on Mondays and Public Holidays
When: 27 Oct - 22 Nov 2018,
By: Ames Yavuz
