Igan D’Bayan’s rock n’ roll circus

Artist and The Philippine STAR writer Igan D’Bayan recently had his first one-man exhibit at The Crucible Gallery in the fourth floor of SM Megamall. The exhibit, titled "Apocalypse Jukebox," featured mixed media paintings inspired by rock bands (from Pink Floyd to Radiohead), icons (Frank Zappa, Bob Dylan, John Lennon and David Bowie), as well as song lyrics such as REM’s It’s The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine).

"The idea was to come up with apocalyptic images to complement the songs that I would listen to as the world is ending," says D’Bayan, whose influences include Jean-Michel Basquiat, Francis Bacon, Egon Schiele, H.R. Giger, and Gonzo illustrator Ralph Steadman.

Songs such as Pink Floyd’s Another Brick In The Wall and Radiohead’s Karma Police are reinterpreted by the artist, who filled the canvases with cryptic images. "With these works, I wanted to paint portraits of doomed creatures in various stages of decay and dread."

LYNYRD PARAS

Where is the best place to showcase an artwork?

As an artist, one should know the right place where to express his artwork. It should be in a space wherein one can feel and express the art.

FERNANDO ESCORA

What kind of emotion do you express with your artwork?

My ongoing exhibit at Alliance Française deals with human emotion. But I don’t limit myself to a certain subject; I have other works with subtle social undertones. I believe that an artist has to evolve and not get stuck with one style while in the peak of his creative powers.

TASHA RODRIGUEZ

Which form of art would you like to learn?

I would like to learn how to paint, because I believe it would be a great way to express whatever it is I am feeling. A painting would be like a memory or a vision of something significant in my life. Art can be seen everywhere, and what’s beautiful about it is each one is a unique vision expressed through the creation of an artist.

FROILAN CALAYAG

How do you want your artwork to be viewed?

I want my artwork to be viewed in prestigious galleries where people can recognize what my hidden emotions are.

JOEY COBCOBO

What medium do you use?

For now, I work with two in order to express myself. One is watercolor, because it shows the textures of the images in a transparent form. The second medium is oil and handmade paper. With oil, you can do spontaneous strokes. Rough textures are easily achieved in an expressive way. No mistake can be done because of the layered application. Watercolor serves as my "tears" and oil serves as my "perspiration." My art deals with folk, surreal, and cultural distortions.

BEIA FORMOSO

What makes fashion an everyday creative expression?

Freedom is what makes fashion an everyday creative expression because you are free to choose what you want to wear, the style you want to emit, and who you want to be.

LUCY TORRES GOMEZ

Whose art recently inspired you?

Just the other day I was at a gallery in Megamall, and I saw the work of Caloy Gabuco. He has such beautiful strokes, and had all these soft paintings with children as subjects. I was also star-struck when I met Romulo Galicano that same day. He is truly a master and his work has been compared to that of Monet. There is so much local talent going around, and their beautiful works of art just effortlessly inspire you to work harder and save more money so you can actually buy and take one home to call your own. Looking at a beautiful work of art, next to prayer, is a lovely way to start any day.

OLAN VENTURA

What is it about Manila that inspires your artwork?

Not only Manila, but all the places in the Philippines inspire my art. I spend most of my time in my Malabon home, where it is quiet and conducive to the thought process.

CLAIRE SAMSON BETITA

What is the importance of creative expression?

Creative expression lets you experience another world and allows the world to experience another side of you.

MARTIN AGUILAR

Does art complicate life?

Art does not complicate life. It actually instills a range of various perspectives, delineating one from reality and then back.

ALI PEEK

Can sports be considered an art form?

Sure, many people believe that it is. Just like art, a lot of time and hard work is put into sports. You must consider the training to perfect the motions, the details that go into perfecting a technique, and the discipline; then the performance itself. Just like art you are being judged, critiqued and recognized.

LIZETTE CLAUDIO

Which form of creative expression makes you laugh out loud?

The American Idol contest. Some tone-deaf contestants call their wailing a form of creative expression, and it kills me.

GABBY GREGORY

Which among your daily activities expresses your creativity?

My work, which entails coming up with marketing concepts for new products and finding ways to be excited about brands.

MYRZA SISON

How do you creatively express your present state of being?

I am now in an extremely happy and fulfilled state of being. Lately, my creative outlet has been cooking for the Marie Claire team to keep them equally happy during deadline week.