HAPAGkabagabag by Kendall Colindon: A Commentary on Human Struggles
Las Pinas city-based Kendall Colindon is a Fine Arts graduate from the Technological University of the Philippines. He was born in 1995 and is presently a member of the collective group Room One Eleven, composed of Aspiring young artists from the same alma mater. Kendall’s works center on social realism and utilize his creativity as a call for revolutionary awareness to push progressive actions. His first solo exhibition, which displayed images of hope, titled “Puno’t Dulo,” was held at Art Verite Gallery last May 2022.
The beauty of sceneries usually inspires the subject of Kendall’s masterpieces. He captures photographs of his surroundings and puts them together to create another piece. His main inspirations for his works are those around him, such as friends and family. This is followed by the struggles of random people he encounters on his daily commute. He portrays his works from a different angle and captures where his dreams for the future would lie.
Not even a year after his first solo show, Secret Fresh Gallery in San Juan tasked him with conceptualizing his second solo exhibition in November. After a month, he started to work on the exhibit after preparing studies and making his own canvases. The result of his hard work is his show, “HAPAGkabagabag.” Kendall says, “This is my second solo exhibit. A starter for my new year. This exhibit is a show of self-expression and, all at the same time, a product of my genuine concern for issues that we are confronting,”
The exhibit articulates human struggles such as starvation and weariness, distress caused by the country’s recent inflation, and severe poverty. The eight acrylics on canvas pieces reflect the artist’s urge to explain how one’s economic status can affect their mental health and how it contributes to their productivity as a member of society. The pièce de résistance of the exhibit is the painting also titled “HAPAGkabagabag,” which is HAPAG- KAINAN and NAKAKAPAGPABAGABAG combined. His pieces for his second solo show to focus on burnout, passiveness, and the person’s yearning to fill the void of social and personal connections. Kendall made it clear, showcasing monochromatic images, to raise awareness and a warning not to glamorize poverty.
It can also be noted that the show’s opening will fall on Chinese New Year this year. He included rabbits in all the works, and the artist represents three things: 2023 as the year of the water rabbit, which in Chinese culture means longevity, peace, and prosperity; as a companion and lastly, as a staple food cheaper than the other meat.
Kendall is a mentee of Linangan Art Residency in 2021, where he explores his latest works on the combination of colored figures and monochrome backgrounds, which he finds striking and moving. This is where his influence starts and sparks meaningful discussions. These helped Kendall change his perspective and narrative in creating art. He shares, “They taught me to make an art that tells reality and gives message, awareness, reflection and most of all make an art that can communicate to the public/community so can relate on it.”
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 by the Author
