Deprivation and Meditation: Sudden Flight Series at the Picasso Abstract Painter Chiqui Rodriguez

Filipino abstract painter, Chiqui Rodriguez announces her major new series entitled SUDDEN FLIGHT, her solo show to be held in Zurich by late summer will have its preview opening in a two-man show at the Picasso Boutique Serviced Residences, hosted by Altromondo Gallery on 29 May 2014 and continuing through 18 July 2014.

The 15 selected paintings from a total of over 100 works that comprise the SUDDEN FLIGHT series, awash in vibrant color, are sure to dazzle visitors to the Picasso Boutique Serviced Residences. Chiqui’s unique approach to blending acrylic pigments on canvas creates gem-like surfaces. Peering through the surface to what is depicted below, the viewer realizes that all is not as glowing as it first appears. Chiqui is noted for her deep abstraction of complex realism.

Chiqui also explores a complex subject; her work calls attention to our culture’s thought of hardwork. Much of Chiqui’s artwork is influenced by her experience in the corporate world. Through this new body of work, she connects hardwork to social class as a form of meditation.

Says Chiqui of her SUDDEN FLIGHT series, “I was inspired by my short trip to Brussels after a show held in Berlin in 2013. I arrived with the intent of finding an artist who would be willing to collaborate with me in my upcoming projects, so I started to look around. Instead of finding an artist, I found some Filipinos who work around the city. My interaction with them in a different environment led to varied conversations about how challenging life is to be away from their love ones but nevertheless find solace knowing that their families benefit from their sacrifice. I started on my e-sketchpad and started to express my thoughts after this encounter. The title ‘Sudden Flight’ refers to several layers of meaning: sudden burst of happiness, excitement as reaching out lives of far-flung Filipinos extending compassion, a moment of bliss.”

The show plans to bring forward awareness on the inner thoughts of Overseas Filipino Workers.

About the Artist:

Chiqui Rodriguez enjoys telling people how she started as an artist. It kicked-off one morning discussing the paintings she had been working on back in 2003 while having coffee with her long-time confidante.

Fearful that she did not finish a BFA degree, she was nevertheless encouraged to share her work publicly because painting has been her hobby since she was six. Through her renewed confidence and the opportunity entrusted in her, she learned that she can do anything to cultivate her art. With this experience, she believed that she can also inspire others that everything is possible if you put your heart into it. Chiqui went on to develop her signature painting style since then. The politically motivated environment of the Philippines and her adventures while traveling between Asia Pacific and Europe molded her ideals of optimism, hope and internal happiness. The first of five series from her upcoming exhibition “Sudden Flight” is now viewable through chiquirodriguez.com and Saatchi Art. While the Manila preview of the fourth series is on 29 May 2014 at the Picasso Boutique Serviced Residences hosted by Altromondo Gallery (www.altromondo.ph/artist-profiles/chiqui-rodriguez/).

Chiqui continues to research on cultural entrepreneurship in developing countries like the Philippines and remains active in various social causes.

For more information and high-resolution images contact:

Chiqui Rodriguez

chiqui@chiquirodriguez.com

http://chiquirodriguez.com