Tabula Rasa

by Hannah Jo Uy
Photo by Pinggot Zulueta

The theory of tabula rasa, Latin for “blank slate,” refers to the unsullied mind before social indoctrination. It has been tackled by deep thinkers such as Aristotle and Persian philosopher Avicenna who referred to it as “pure potentiality.” This idea of pure potentiality is what has driven artist Rick Hernandez to consciously reboot his mind for it to be an empty vessel that will be open to receiving the boundless possibilities that exist in the horizon. An appreciation for the inconstancy that marks life itself fuels the artist. Loyal to only the ephemeral ideas that capture his consciousness, Rick opts to break free from the safe confines of a set style and instead lets his hands materialize the latest internal musings that have consumed him.

“I think my art throws in more questions than answers,” Rick admits. “Questions even I can’t answer. I think that’s what unpredictability does to you.” The willingness to be a beginner time and time again has injected the works of Rick with freshness and a sense of childlike wonder. This is most especially evident in his recent exhibit entitled “Table Drawings” at The Art Alley, which will be on display until Nov. 30.

In “Table Drawings,” Rick opted to use gouache as a creative throwback to the first medium that initiated him into the art world as it brings back fond memories of his college days when he first aimed to familiarize himself with the challenging paint variant. Drawn to the wild characteristic of the medium that mirrors the capricious and charming nature of his own works, Rick created a collection imbibed with subtle and earthy hues strongly imitating the worn pages of old books and journals stained by intimacy and the passage of time.

The medium greatly complimented the subject matter of flora and fauna, which has been a source of inspiration for the artist even at a young age.The meticulous and breathtaking aesthetics of botanical, zoological field notes, and other antiquarian imagery have always attracted the artist who was fascinated by its unassuming visual quality. Rick has imbibed his work with the same quality inspired by the distinctive flowers and greenery he saw in Malaysia during his participation at the 2014 Langkawi Art Biennale. The images struck him so that upon returning he delved into his own research, which became the basis for his current exhibit.

While retaining a loose, relaxed characteristic, Rick has always managed to guide his work with a firm hand into a unique direction. His willingness to venture to new techniques has managed to stay within the boundaries of whatever concept he is aiming to explore, which provides it with a notable balance of structure and chaos.

An Advertising graduate from the Technological University of the Philippines, Rick had initially viewed painting as nothing more than a subject requirement. After college, Rick got his first job working as a graphic designer for Ross Capili, where he was exposed to the outstanding artists within the local art scene. “Ross has been a great influence in my art,” says Rick. “He was the one who pushed me to paint. He has a way of teaching you how to do things without dictating how you should do it. He made me believe I could do all these things. More than a mentor he’s like a father to me.”

As an artist, Rick is determined to outfit a concept with the most fitting medium that will serve the purpose of his message. “I have this Oscar Wilde quote in my head that goes ‘Continuity is the last refuge of the unimaginative,” he confesses. “I’m consistently inconsistent and I’m always trying out new things.” The effect is a truly dynamic and widely diverse artistic portfolio that is set to enthrall viewers for years to come.

Read more at Manila Bulletin - Artist at Work

 

 

Rick Hernandez’ Table Drawings at the Art Alley

"I always try to approach each exhibition with a 'beginner's mind' as much as possible." Hernandez explains why he periodically changes subjects and mediums for his exhibitions. Without the safety net of a familiar style demanded by the market, the artist tries to avoid a formulaic signature work, which typify an artist. "It keeps me on my toes, unpredictability has always been important to me," Hernandez confesses.

For his 4th solo show, the artist revisits his initial learning. He explains that his trip to the scenic Langkawi in Malaysia for the 2014 Langkawi Art Biennale took him back to the basics of drawing, partly influenced by the other artists on the delegation. "We usually have couple of hours off between each activity that we tend to organize our own (Philippine delegation) on-the-spot drawing. It felt good going back to drawing basics," said Hernandez. Returning to basics led him to the idea of completing an exhibition of drawings.

In Langkawi, Hernandez was inspired by its scenic beauty, flora and fauna. This led him to search for photos from antiquarian biology and zoology books, magazines, encyclopedia, the internet and even actual objects for references – the basis for his drawings. Table Drawings is a collection of gouache drawings made during the past months since his return from Malaysia. Trading the easel for a table, the artist sat down late at night or early in the morning, drawing various images from his research.

As with some of his other work, there is some looseness and exaggeration in the drawings. In order to broaden the ambit of the folio and not restrict it to simply 'drawing', some of the works are grouped and arranged in random to create a collage type of an expedition journal, "It's like looking at some field notes or a researcher's journal." Hernandez further explains. The artist also experimented with the velum paper surface and gouache in order to give the drawings looseness and accidental quality, expanding pictorial conventions while retaining the photographic reference. Still, Hernandez wishes to label his works as 'drawings' as a tribute to the drawing basics he looked to. "How easy art can be when you go back to basic and you stopped struggling with it." the artist opines with a sense of accomplishment.

Table Drawings opens on November 14, Saturday, 6pm at the Art Alley, Unit 324 LRI Design Plaza, Nicanor Garcia St. Bel Air II, Makati City. Exhibit runs until November 30, 2015. For more information you may call 8368799 or 09178887921, or email us at one_workshop@yahoo.com.