‘The Greatness of Simplicity’: Finding Peace in the Pandemic

Kenneth Montegrande’s art exhibit, The Greatness of Simplicity, debuted in Galerie Nicholas at Greenbelt 5 on February 23. The new exhibit is focused largely on Montegrande’s new collection of abstract works and cloudscapes, many of which were drawn up during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The work is very striking yet sparse; the title itself comes from what Montegrande called “the minimal,” seeing how the world stopped during the pandemic and how he felt an appreciation for the small things that surrounded him. It’s definitely highlighted in the work he produced, going from bright pastel abstracts to darker cloudscapes with apocalyptic themes. 

Finding Light in the Darkness

The works really spring forth in difference when one looks at the cloudscapes Montegrande features in the prime part of his exhibit. There’s a surreal majesty to its contrast of darker palettes to the light, the balance of colors in paintings like “The Gift of Stillness” and “A Reminder of God” giving these giant landscapes a whole new weight. 

Many of the paintings tend to create an effect of ponderous quiet among them. “Into the Light of Simplicity,” for example, has a playful and colorful combination of greens and yellows and whites that effectively depicts an early morning sunrise and the hope that comes with it.

And yet, some of the paintings also depict these turbulent seas, showing a lack of calm that contrasts to the light that surrounds it. “A Reminder of God,” especially, has tones reminiscent of Francisco Goya’s Black Paintings with how it plays with darker hues.

A Message of Hope, Faith, and Love

Montegrande talks of the inspiration for these paintings as his way of allowing his faith in God to show and manifest in his works. “The reason is, the message I wanted to depict in my works is the hope, the faith, and the love, especially yung faith came from God,” he said. 

“If you look at it from here, there’s the waves and then the light and then the darkness,” he said. “The message is always something like this. For us to appreciate the light, we have to understand the message of darkness. I-reverse mo, ganon pa rin. (If you reverse it, it’s still the same.) We have to understand the light to appreciate the darkness. 

“Because if we always look for the light lang talaga, we can never understand and appreciate the light. Dapat talaga intindihin mo ang darkness.” 

(You should always try to understand the darkness.)

Simplicity Redefined

Some of the abstract paintings evoke a sense of expressionism through its use of color and brushstrokes. Montegrande uses a lot of big gestures in his brushstrokes, creating a grandness of emotional feeling that amplifies the intensity of a painting. It’s purposeful, whether used in the context of light or darkness.

Montegrande says that the inspiration for the cloudscapes came about during the pandemic. The lockdowns kept us from being able to communicate with people normally, but he sees the pandemic as something of a sign from God, a message for us to slow down in our day-to-day lives.

“I want this exhibit as a reminder of the viewers, of the people who will see my works,” he said. “Let’s not forget the things that happened with us, na nakakalimutan natin (what we forget); appreciate simple things, appreciate little things—be grateful for everything. 

“That’s the message that God wanted to impart sa atin during the time and until now. Baka mamaya kasi makalimot na naman tayo.”

(We might forget it if we’re not reminded.)

The Greatness of Simplicity is a well-crafted artistic statement from Montegrande, an exploration of hope even in the darkest times. As our world continues to be tumultuous, the message of simplicity and appreciation becomes essential in our daily existence. 

Photographed by Ed Simon.

Related reading: Circle of Life: Kenneth Montegrande’s 17th Solo Exhibition Opens at Galerie Joaquin Rockwell