Jomar Delluba at Galerie Joaquin Podium

MANILA, Philippines - Pakil, Laguna-based artist Jomar Delluba investigates the creativity of children for mischief in his first solo exhibition “Maldita,” which opens at Galerie Joaquin Podium on Jan. 16 at 6:30 p.m.

Jomar Delluba sees his art as an intensely personal experience. His works use metaphors to articulate the idea of everyday people in his characteristically-brilliant style.

The works in this show sees Delluba playing with and upending traditional concepts of childhood mischief. He paints in a style that, at first glance, is cutesy but becomes increasingly surreal upon closer examination. There is a painting of a girl in pigtails with her hand over her right eye as if she was punched. What is surreal, however, is the disinterested look on her face — as if she was already used to such physical punishment. But aren’t little girls supposed to be spared from such brutality? Delluba’s work hangs that question over the canvas, but also speeds past it — a way of turning expectations on their heads.

This is the sort of nuanced discourse that Jomar Delluba presents in “Maldita.”

The show is on view until Jan. 27.

Galerie Joaquin is at Unit B12-B13, lower ground floor, The Podium, ADB Ave., Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City. For information, call 634-7954 or visit www.galeriejoaquin.com.