‘Apocalypse Jukebox’ at The Crucible

Philippine STAR writer Igan D’Bayan mounted his first one-man exhibit titled "Apocalypse Jukebox" at The Crucible Gallery, fourth floor of SM Megamall A, Mandaluyong City.

The guests of honor at the opening included Ayala Corp. chairman and fellow artist Jaime Zobel De Ayala, SM Prime Holdings president Hans Sy, Young STAR columnist and musician Regina Belmonte (representing STAR president and CEO Miguel Belmonte), and STAR editor in chief Isaac Belmonte. Featured performer was Chikoy Pura of legendary Pinoy Rock band The Jerks.

D’Bayan’s 28 mixed media paintings were inspired by his love of rock n’ roll bands (such as Pink Floyd and Radiohead), icons (Bob Dylan, Frank Zappa, John Lennon and David Bowie), album covers (created by Hipgnosis and Roger Dean), as well as songs such as It’s The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine).

The artist’s influences include Jean-Michel Basquiat, Francis Bacon, Egon Schiele, H.R. Giger, gonzo illustrator Ralph Steadman, and Neo-Expressionist Daniel Richter. He also admires Filipino artists Ang Kiukok, Onib Olmedo, Malang, Elmer Borlongan, Manuel Ocampo, Mark Justiniani, and longtime friend Ronald Ventura. But it’s in rock n’ roll that D’Bayan finds weirdly wonderful epiphanies, since he writes a music column for STAR and collects records – everything from King Crimson to Mars Volta.

Fellow rocker and Crucible Gallery owner Sari Ortiga asked D’Bayan to mount an exhibit in his gallery after the artist showed his works. D’Bayan says, "I really am grateful to Sari – and Randy Young also – for allowing me to put up my paintings in the illustrious gallery, which has displayed works by artists such as Arturo Luz, Malang, Olazo, and Bencab. Sari and I had long talks about my paintings – and how bizarre they are. He basically told me to follow my own muse. Or, in my case, my own demons (laughs)."

STAR Lifestyle columnist Scott Garceau wrote: "Recurring motifs in ‘Apocalypse Jukebox’ are exposed ribs – suggestive of emptiness or absence inside, but also of stripping away the outside layers to get to the core… Cramped rooms, crowded figures also occupy D’Bayan’s canvases, and it’s a reflection on the space that we occupy in this world… It all comes back to using images to catapult oneself out of a less-than-beautiful world."

The exhibit was made possible by The Philippine STAR and The Crucible Gallery, with the support of Ayala Corp., SM Inc., Globe Telecom, Innove Communications and Bench. Manila Artden Paintings and Frames came up with the elegant, organic-looking frames. MTV Philippines and RPN-9 sent their video jock and reporter to cover the exhibit opening. Atom Henares’ NU 107.5 (The Home of New Rock) plugged "Apocalypse Jukebox" every day for the duration of the exhibit. Maritel Nievera-Shani’s Cabalen and Mangan provided the buffet spread and the staff to serve the guests. Kamayan, Super Bowl of China, T.G.I. Friday’s, Outback Steakhouse, Absolut Vodka, and George Pua’s Kwang Tong also served food and drinks.

Special thanks to My Brother’s Mustache owned by Boy and Gigi Vinzon, Alex Alcantara, Fuentes Publicity, Bridgesss@com, Visions & Expressions, Buensalido & Associates, Propa Consultancy, Nancy Harel & Associates, and Circe Communications.