I’ve been a big fan of Bernie Pacquing’s work, ever since I saw this piece from an exhibit at West Gallery, when it was still operational in Megamall in 2008. I don’t know why, but I’ve never really gotten a chance to see his work much after that. So, when I heard that he was mounting a solo show at Finale, I practically begged my parents to go with me. (The last we ventured into Makati on a Friday night, we were stuck on the road for two hours, so they were a little apprehensive.)

Thank goodness they agreed (I’m mostly incapacitated, transportation-wise, because I am not exactly the best commuter, and also, I cannot drive), and that the traffic was merciful.

Pacquing’s exhibit is called Earth Mounds, and I read it after I’ve had a proper look-through, so looking at each piece was sort of magical to me. This is really one of the most cohesive shows I’ve been to in a while, and it was such a big pleasure looking around and kind of realizing how things went together. I don’t think it really comments on anything much, but it really is one of the best shows I’ve been to this year.

my favorite piece from the Mound series

From the door, I started with his Mound series, and my mouth kind of hung in awe, and I’d let out a little chuckle, because it’s ridiculous how strong each piece was. And then I moved to the Arches series, experienced a heightened level of my initial reaction until I made my round about the room and was just completely floored by how, in tiny details, everything tied together. I even made like a pretentious art douche and wrote in a little Field Notes notebook, because I really just wanted to remember the little details about the show that made me smile.

In Earth Mounds, Pacquing uses the shape of the dome, lots of curves, and geometry. I don’t know if he intended it, but the installation pieces were also strong parts of the exhibit, providing a more tactile and tangible way of presenting the idea of mounds and domes. Most of his imagery is not representational, but Pacquing asserts forms of architecture, with the installations seeming like little buildings, little structures. The works on paper offer the feeling of standing as blueprints, working really well and closely with the rest of the pieces.

I’m also such a big fan of his color palette. In retrospect, the show also probably owes part of its cohesion to Pacquing’s mastery of color. See, I would never be able to think of these color combinations. But his nifty little mind was able to mix bright blues and yellows with soft pinks and a minty green. Look at this beautiful piece.

“Termitaria”

“Termitaria” (detail)

This particular one entitled “Termitaria” is, I feel, an excellent assimilation of the entire show. Combining the imagery of mounds, and playing with structural elements, with the inclusion of the material used for the installation pieces (wood), it is such a stunning and visual piece. It made me feel bad that I don’t have money to buy it, and my own house to put it up on.

So, this is a pretty late post (I went on the 6th of August), but you are a lucky lot because the show will be up until the 30th! Just go to Finale Art File between 10am and pm on a Monday-Saturday. It really is a beautiful show that you should see.

Here’s Finale’s address:
Finale Art File
La Fuerza Compound (Gate 1)
2241 Pasong Tamo, Makati City
(across Philippine School for Interior Design)