There exists in all of us, an ancient source. Like a well or spring. Like an oasis in the middle of a vast arid desert. From where all life and creativity comes from and no less given to us by the Universe or from Divinity itself.
No matter what religious beliefs we have, the Source is all but the same. And we have yet to tap into its energy to find our calling to be the best versions of ourselves. And in that journey, take it seriously while having fun in a playful way. ...
Gil Maningo has delved deep into his own personal source and found boundless inspiration to create art, whether it be painting, photography, caricature, singing, songwriting, and film.
But where can the divine be found in his paintings?
Without background information we have an incomplete grasp of the paintings we see. And the only pertinent information we need at this moment lies in the artist’s choice of the color gold. To be more precise, gold-leaf.
Gold leaf as a material started 5,000 years ago in Egypt. It is derived from real gold and smelted with various metals and beaten to form thin sheets. Gold leaf has always been used to adorn places of worship and the sculpting of deities such as the Buddha, found in China and Thailand. Therefore to this artist, gold, represents God the Almighty.
The artist is an expressionist. A term used to describe creatives who push the boundaries of color, form and structure to conjure thinking, emotion, excitement, and spiritual uplifting.
The female forms are a pleasure to look at. They look Polynesian or even Vietnamese. Elongated necks and torsos, they go about their daily chores and livelihood, in the quaint villages they live in. Their forms flow like water. Their long torsos softly twist, reminding us of early Arturo Luz’s “mariachi” paintings.
Bursting with color and form that create movement, inviting us to enter the canvas and engage in conversation with the characters’ anecdotes.
While the village scenes are colorful, The Madonna and Child are serene and meditative. A proper reverence to Mother Mary and the Infant Jesus.
The truth is that the Universe favors creativity. And much of creativity comes not from thinking but feeling. There is so much more going on than what our rational mind is telling us.
But whether we are creatives, or not, we need to open our antenna to find that source energy, and allow it to use us as a vehicle for change.
In the end, all creativity is and must be a gift to the Universe.
