BJORN CALLEJA / DENNIS BATO:
TERRA IGNOTA
A collaboration between artists Bjorn Calleja and Dennis Bato, “Terra Ignota,” is an interrogation into an unfamiliar terrain where the two artists' practices intersect. The exhibition examines how Calleja and Bato utilize space and forms in their works to represent environments where identities exist. Calleja's colorful works present images drawn from flowers, landscapes and portraits, referenced historical images, photos of sports events, portrayals of the imagined, and surreal scenarios. Thus, his works entice the audience to look more closely and allow enough breathing space for meaning to materialize. Calleja shows a microcosm within a microcosm, where images can turn into landscapes even if they do not carry the same visual references as expected. Hence, arranging characters who personify the artist’s exploration into the essence of being and the invisible relationships that traverse through the universe.
Meanwhile, Bato’s dark and monochromatic portrayals in silhouette depict human relationships and behavior in contexts of space and time. Bato peers into this perspective, which is an exploration into the patterns of chaos. The layers in his works reveal the multi-dimensional characteristics of space: the physical and the psychic aspect where is defined by recurring events. The lines in Bato’s works converge into points where we can trace the similar paths followed by different people while the silhouette act like ghost particles of our every interaction.
Bjorn Calleja (b. 1981) is a Filipino painter and interdisciplinary artist. He earned his BFA from Far Eastern University, where he later became a part-time lecturer. Aside from exhibiting his work, his early career involved corporate jobs and stints as a graphic designer. He also co-founded Design. Other Things. (2012-2014), a design studio that employed a team of visual artists. Solo exhibitions include The Ennead at Secret Fresh Gallery (2018); Acme at West Gallery (2018); Postcolonial Rubbish at Pablo Gallery (2017); Self-Portrait as a Hamburger at Secret Fresh Gallery (2016); There is no Solution because there is no Problem at Underground Gallery (2016); Confessions of an Almost Artist at West Gallery (2013); Bubblegum Stories at Secret Fresh Gallery (2012); Eat my Daddy at The Crucible Gallery (2012); Some Failed Attempts in Creating a Good Image for Painting at West Gallery (2011); The Color Bringer at Secret Fresh Gallery (2011); Fear Made me Do This at Lost Projects (2011). His works have been included in different group exhibitions locally and abroad, and published in books; Toy Art 2.0 (2014), Philippines: Inter Tropical Convergence Zone Contemporary Artists from the Philippines Imago Mundi - Luciano Benetton Collection (2014).
Dennis Bato (b. 1989) is a street artist who portrays current issues he observes around him. Through various materials and formats, he focuses on themes of society versus individuality. He has a constant thirst for awareness and answers, which leads lot of his research towards philosophy. As a licensed architect, he tends to push the boundaries of material experimentation in communicating ideas through his work. Bato received his BS in Architecture from the Far Eastern University. His works have been exhibited in Shanghai, Jakarta, and Manila. He is currently under the MFA program of the University of the Philippines., Diliman.
