Christian Cedrick Dela Paz, who was part of BluPrint’s Emerging Artists last year, showcased his fourth solo exhibition that represents the hogs of society titled “Pugad Baboy” at Art Cube Gallery in Makati. The artist, who continuously impresses avid art collectors with every piece he makes, regards his works as “Unconventional Figurism”.  

Dela Paz, who comes from a family that loves to draw, is known for distorting human anatomy to show his subjects’ emotions. He stresses that emotions can also be seen within body movements. He studied Fine Arts Major in Visual Communication at Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology and aims to showcase the country’s culture and art to be appreciated by future generations through his influential works.

The exhibit’s title, “Pugad Baboy,” is the name of the area in Pasig where Cedrick would frequently play in his younger years. It is also the title of the satirical comic strips by renowned cartoonist Pol Medina Jr. that appeared at the back of the newspaper, The Philippine Daily Inquirer. Eight pieces of fearless and stunning works for the sold-out show were all done in a month. The “hogs” in the works represent those political and influential figures that take advantage of the poor and amass riches while in power.

An 8 x 4 feet work, “Tangkal: Pugad Baboy” was the exhibit’s highlight that ran until September 3, 2022. Another powerful work called “An.ekwal,” shows the feet of the masses that balance the world that these privileged “hogs” occupy. 

The works “Lupa” and “Impyerno” show figures of thin, sunken-eyed people with heads hanging low representing the majority. Despite being well-put-together and wearing the barong, the other figures cannot disguise the reek of their personality. 

Cedrick also emphasized the connection between his current and his last show at the Eskinita Art Farm, called Rat Race. Both are inspired by animals representing the message the artist wants to convey to his audience. The theme of the former was rats that fight for survival, while the latter represents the figures that don’t get contented with power.

Writer Carlomar Arcangel Daoana notes, “Dela Paz’s exhibition is audacious not only because it directly exposes the fragility of the national system, but because it also reflects the continuity of the business-as-usual: the bestowal of the crown on the corrupt, the flatulent, and the desensitized to the misery of the masses, With some of them back in power, Pugad Baboy has an urgent reminder: the chain has no lock and can be disengaged.”

Art Cube Gallery is located at OPVI Centre, 2295 Chino Roces Avenue Extension, Makati City.

Notes about the contributor

Daniel Lampa

Art enthusiast and into Fashion, French Culture, Mid-century modern design and spends a lot of his time curating his home in Manila and LA. He lives with his 3 dogs, Coco, Yohji and Junya.

Photos from the Author and Art Cube Gallery