Nelson Bosita at ArtistSpace

MANILA, Philippines - Tension within the context of change and transformation is what Nelson Bosita presents in his upcoming show, which opens on June 12 at 6 p.m. at Ayala Museum’s ArtistSpace in Greenbelt, Makati.

Titled “Transition,” the exhibition is a survey into the fundamental concerns of morality as it relates to notions of concealment and revelation. Bosita is an artist with an eye for mystery, and as such his paintings are cloaked in a monochrome palette and revel in visual juxtapositions that are aesthetically hyper-realistic but conceptually surreal. The purpose of his milieu, of course, is to make his audience consider the duality of human nature — and the movement between different states of being.

The artist clearly possesses the technical aptitude to achieve his aim of presenting contrasts, but it is his conceptual nous that allows him to stand out from an already overcrowded art scene that is bristling with talent but often lacks the disciplined focus necessary to convey a message.

 â€œGod Vs. Theory” is a wonderful work of oil on canvas that presents two points in contention — religion and science — through the context of the existence of evolution. Layering an image of Christ with that of a face wearing sunglasses (that we are created in the image that brought us salvation) and showing a “devolution” series of a man becoming an ape, Bosita is successful in making his case: that the nuances of secular and religious tensions are not only haunting, but serve to debase our core humanity.

The show is on view until June 24.

Ayala Museum is at the corner of Makati Ave. and Dela Rosa St., Greenbelt, Ayala Center, Makati City. The exhibition is organized by Art Gallery Asia 3rd Level Patriarch Building, 2224 Pasong Tamo corner Don Bosco Street, Makati City. For information, call 0917-8943888.