Two artists engaged in conversation, their dialogue to be recorded upon canvas: this was the idea between abstract painters Luis Lorenzana and Clarence Chun. Their collaboration, which now hangs proudly at the MONO8 gallery in San Juan, ascertains the mastery each has over his own unique style.

From Oct. 16 to Nov. 24, 2024, the “CCxLL” exhibit will showcase Luis’s and Clarence’s works – both joint and separate. The show, which currently runs at MONO8, sees the space divided into three galleries, each of which will take the viewer through the artists’ creative progression through the years.

Clarence, who studied his form abroad, is well-known for his depictions of speed and movement. A look at his canvas sees both dynamism and structure – splashes of paint and well-controlled lines. “I want the viewer to experience how the eye travels; how it rests at certain areas and speeds up at certain areas [on my canvas],” Clarence said of his work.

Luis, on the other hand, is a self-taught artist known for his travels. “He went to many prominent galleries all over the world and studied the form and style of the masters,” said Gwen Bautista, co-founder and gallery director of MONO8.

Luis’s past life as a professional at the Philippine Senate also follows him through his artistic endeavors. A known portrait artist, Luis’s past images depict outlandish faces, a sardonic take on politics according to Gwen’s interpretation. In fact, one of his more colorful works depicts a woman in jester-like face paint staring intently at the viewer.

Today, Luis’s focus relies less on caricature and more on abstract portraiture.

“I am so used to seeing things in 3D, using light and shadow to create perspective,” Luis mused. “Now, I’m challenging myself to make things look [flattering], rely less on narrative in my art. I’m focusing more on texture, on composition, and color – and in fact, all these things are much more difficult to master.”

At their joint exhibit, three paintings showcase the dynamic dialogue between both artists. For their curator, Gwen, this is not only a difficult project, but also a test of control. “This exhibit really showcases [the] respect [between the two artists],” she said. “We have two amazing painters and as an artist, you will always want to work with your best, but to share the space with another artist is a test of constraint.”

In some ways, the exhibit was also a fun experiment on paradox. “People often think of abstraction as something spontaneous, compulsive,” Gwen noted. “But, as previously mentioned, this collaboration was focused on control.”

The three canvasses, which showcase Clarence’s signature style, are complemented by Luis’s abstractionist portraits. The process between the two began with Clarence, who first introduced a setting onto the canvas. “I wanted to set our work in a place, so I [added perspective] and set us in a room,” the artist shared. “I didn’t give [Luis] any guidelines [when I gave the canvas to him after that]; I didn’t even mind if he destroyed [the work].”

What came next was a back-and-forth between two artists, a creative tango that birthed unique yet comprehensive pieces, each of which explored distinct styles and compositions. “There’s a lot of respect between the two as they try to fit themselves into the space they’re making for one another,” Gwen noted.

Running until the middle of next month, the “CCxLL” exhibit features multiple pieces of various sizes and colors, capturing the progression of Clarence’s earlier, structured works and Luis’s foray into abstractionist culture.

Location:MONO8 is located at BLK 113, 53 Connecticut, San Juan, 1503 Metro Manila