REVIEW: The Showstopping Masterpieces of Jigger Cruz
What Do We Think?
By Martina M. E. Manalo
23 March 2023
Jigger Cruz’s new work at Tang Contemporary Art Hong Kong, features a rather vivid abstract composition and is a collection of work that is clearly powerful, ecstatic, and even nostalgic. The Filipino artist described his work as somewhat chaotic, and explains—as to where there is chaos, there is also beauty—just like Manila (where he grew up and currently lives) while his colour selection as ‘violent’—colours not everyone would want to first handedly pick up.
Known for his well-defined impasto surfaces and amalgamation of loads of mystifying layers, renders a compelling take into challenging the ‘traditional’ way of painting, whereas creating almost an immediate focus on resistance and antagonism at first glance.
A true showstopper at day one of Hong Kong’s art week. Cruz presents us with a journey towards the unknown. An odyssey into familiar proportions—a place he describes where losing himself, is a place where there is most freedom in perceptivity.
The effect is stirring. The surfaces have the feel of almost being in paradise, where it is reminscent of Manila (of course). As if I was transported back to my hometown but not exactly sure what part of or when I was in. Despite that sort of realistic transformation I was struck by, the artist intends to not recreate reality but instead, transform it into something more fascinating and more intriguing. There is a glut of detail, in such a way that just as images start to form in your head, they suddenly collapse and all of a sudden reform.
The exhibition has also been (and once again) cleverly curated by Michela Sena, leading a great circulation and flow to the space creating a more sensible build up of the artist’s work.
The artist’s idiosycratic ideas all masterfully put together where he lets the surfaces speak, the textures empower, and the colours crystalise the whole piece. With the work so riveting, and created a trademark of his own, I hope to see a large scale piece of his art—maybe one day. Jigger’s art possess a grandeur enchantment, and it deverves to be on the walls of major museums.
About the Writer
Martina M. E. Manalo is a multidisciplinary artist from the Philippines and currently works in Hong Kong. She is a former professional ballet dancer and faculty of Ballet Manila and has joined the Royal New Zealand Ballet for a short stint in 2013. She is also a recipient of the ‘Young Achiever Award for Dance and Ballet Excellence’ in 2006 during the Global Excellence Awards. The artist/writer is currently teaching classical ballet, jazz and contemporary dance. Her contemporary works have recently been shown in London, Wales, Hong Kong, Manila, Berlin, and New York. Martina is also a photographer and mixed-media artist with works previously shown in Manila, and Tokyo.
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