Delleva as muse: When picture inspire a thousand tales

CEBU, Philippines - Nostalgia is Jay-R Delleva’s theme for his latest one man show, but rather than feeling wistful and even sad, those usual emotions that we experience when we get nostalgic, this show produced intense giddiness and joy. If there was wistfulness, it was because one doesn’t have enough cash to gobble up all the canvasses Delleva exhibited that day.

For here, sprawled along the more than twenty canvasses, were bold colors and bright emotions, fantastic figures from dreamland and neverland, all originating from the fertile imagination of this young, 30-something artist from Silay, Negros.

Delleva credits his young daughter with his ideas. More accurately, he relies on the many toys and action figures and cartoons that his toddler plays with, and he dreads the thought of her growing up. Indeed, we see in this collection, entitled “Tales of Nostalgia,” the many playmates that children enjoy during their more enjoyable, innocent days.

There is the giant egg known as Humpty Dumpty. There is that grinning Cheshire cat. There is the ubiquitous teddy bear, and a host of other, delightful creatures. But, that is not all we find. Indeed, there are plenty more beings that Jay-R has invented, and they seem like such wonderful characters to write stories, myths and enduring legends about.

For example, who is this fairy that rides astride a flying fish? The piece is entitled “Saving the Magical Flower,” and from the canvass alone, we are fed the amazing potentiality of an epic tale of an enchantress attempting to save Gaia by air-lifting via fish express the magical blooms perched pertly on a solitary stalk, desperately racing against time while fighting demons and dragons.

In the same vein is “Flight of the Misty Boys,” a boy wearing a swan’s head as his headgear, riding atop a shark (?) with wings, accompanied by his besties, the little pig and the big bad wolf. Against these central characters, Delleva paints a backdrop of  midnight  black and grey sky adorned with clouds fashioned into shapes of unicorns, poodles, and other creatures. What kind of fairy tale can we spin out of this highly provocative seed to the imagination?

And what about “The Move”? The horizontally oriented canvass depicts a procession of cutesie characters from what could be Diana Wynn Jones’ or Enid Blyton”s world, on their way to somewhere important. To a new house? To file a petition against a naughty fairy? To populate this planet? The possibilities are infinite: provided they are situated in the fantastical.

Yes, there are many potential tales to be told and retold from these canvasses, and rather than the artist illustrating a story already told, it seems Delleva has managed to turn the tables and provide writers with his own inspiration for their own stories.

Of course, Delleva also has his own interpretations of the classics. He has an ode to the Pied Piper (his work entitled “Piper Playing,” which evokes a less sinister and more endearing piper) and Little Riding Hood (Red in the Land of Shoe Houses”). But that has not stopped him from venturing into unknown lands, and we are so much the richer for it.

This is Jay-R’s fifth one man show, these five shows all having been squeezed into less than four years. Perhaps, this is the force of his creativity finally manifesting itself and enjoying expression, as Jay-R only went to art school at the ripe old age of 27. This, after having first enrolled in three different college courses in the quest to find himself. Jay-R never even finished this final course in Fine Arts, but no matter, for his art is here with us, ready to be savored and appreciated.

We are glad that at last, Delleva has found his calling, as we are being treated to imagery and expression so powerful there is no denying this man’s talent. Word of advice: it is time to collect this man’s work.