‘The distance between sky & soul’ reveals ‘there’s no Planet B’

The sea and the sky, distinct and apart, become one as two contemporary artists depict both subjects with a clear message.

Pinto Art Museum and Arboretum present a two-man exhibit, “As Above, So Below,” by Kenver Resuello and Philipp Ines at the Artistspace of Ayala Museum in Makati City on Dec. 7.

In the exhibit that will run until Dec. 20, Kenver and Philipp reveal in 13 artworks the exquisite beauty of nature and the urgency of preserving it.

Kenver, a physician and former flight attendant, captures the drama in the sky with expressive realism. His vibrant color palette in The distance between sky and soul creates an emotionally charged landscape as the artwork is both a prayer and a plea.

“My focus is on capturing dramatic skies, illuminated cloud formations, and the interplay of light and color, often evoking a sense of calm, introspection, and connection to nature,” Kenver, now doing his specialization on nuclear medicine, tells this writer.

In “As Above, So Below,” Kenver displays seven artworks. The painting titled Clouds drift in silence is both a hush and a loud cry for the preservation of the environment.

“’As Above, So Below’ reflects the interconnectedness of the natural world and the human spirit. It suggests that the harmony we observe in the skies and landscapes mirrors the balance we seek within ourselves.  Through our works, Philipp Ines and I aim to showcase this duality and interdependence, inviting viewers to explore both the external beauty of nature and the internal depth of their emotions,” Kenver adds.

On the other hand, Philipp Ines, whose name and surname when joined together form “Philippines,” does not run short of love of country. Philipp, who finished Fine Arts at UP Diliman, expresses this love through his six post-Impressionist artworks that explore the world underwater. His works are stamps showing that, “the ocean is the birthplace of all life.”

“Art calms me. It also helps me put across my advocacy that our environment is beautiful, nurturing, and we ought to protect nature,” Philipp says.

Dr. Joven Cuanang, founder of Pinto Art Museum and Arboretum.

In his vibrant artwork titled There is no Planet B, Philipp more than emphasizes the need to save the earth from further destruction as he depicts his longing for a healthy environment thriving in an ecosystem shared joyfully by both flora and fauna underwater. Coral reefs, sea anemones, green sea turtles, among other denizens of the deep come alive in his canvases like Travelling together, Everything is connected to everything else, and No Blue, No Green. In his depiction, these creatures live happily in a world uninterrupted by the whims and caprices of man. But his pieces also wake up to the reality that there exists a perilous intersection between nature’s bounty and man’s greed. The symbiotic relationship between man and nature is questioned in his artworks.

“Both Kenver and Philip are nature lovers, and their being such resonates with my ethos. Viewing their works evokes quiet joy that calms the beholders. They embody my advocacy that art and nature heal,”  says Dr. Joven Cuanang, founder of Pinto Art Museum and Arboretum.

Kenver was a medical student at St. Luke’s when Dr. Cuanang discovered his art in an exhibition organized by their student body in medical school. From the array of artworks displayed, he instantly noticed “the maturity of his work, the sureness of his strokes and the vibrancy of his colors.”

“I encouraged Ken to continue painting in between his studies. During the pandemic, he continued to paint scenes from his hometown in Pangasinan as well as sunsets from the roof deck in my house. He became friends with our art collective in Pinto, one of them is Philipp Ines who was introduced to me by his friend Jim Orencio, of Salingpusa,who painted scenes  from my garden which echoed the impressionist Claude Monet. Philip’s works are vibrant and well composed,” adds Dr. Cuanang.

The sea and the sky meet on Dec. 7 at Artistspace as Kenver and Philipp make the connection possible through “As Above, So Below.” Get ready to see the clouds dancing with turtles in mid-air — all for the love of nature.