ROOTS & GROWTH

Mar 15

First solo exhibit of Marloun Mago

Roots and Growth is a contemplation on the personal journey of Marloun Garcia Mago. Hailing from the lush province of Bicol, Mago’s artistic genius was nurtured under the watchful eye of his grandmother, whose encouragement ignited his passion for the fine arts and set him on a path of discovery.
In a series of captivating paintings,

Mago invites us to explore the tenuous relationship between humanity and nature, as witnessed through the lens of his own personal wandering. The artist, now living amidst the urban sprawl of Pulilan, Bulacan, finds himself at the crossroads of nature and human progress, grappling with encroaching tendrils of rapid urbanization and its profound alienation of the natural world.

Mago’s paintings, characterized by their scarce landscapes, obscured by a haze of muted colors, offer a glimpse into a world where nature’s abundance has been overshadowed by human creation — a stark reminder of the diminishing presence of nature in the modern world.

Central to Mago’s narrative are his enigmatic portrayals of women, each adorned by garments carrying delicate details of flora and fauna, a replica of what is now lost in their surroundings. It is an introspection to Mago’s own fragile relationship with nudity, gesturing for a personal need to return to the comforts of nature as experienced in the artist’s youth. These subjects serve as a testament to the intersections of nature and femininity as symbols of fertility, strength, and nurturing — echoing the timeless rhythms of the natural world.

Through his works, Mago offers us a piece of the transformative power of solace and introspection, with his paintings imbued with a palpable sense of longing and nostalgia, serving as a poignant reminder of the profound interconnectedness of being, and the vital importance of preserving the delicate balance of nature in an ever-changing world.

- Alec Sayson