An art gallery along Connecticut Street in Greenhills, San Juan City, invites viewers into a quiet yet deeply resonant encounter with trauma, abstraction, and healing through a new solo exhibition by Manila-based contemporary artist Pepe Delfin.
Pepe, who hails from Capiz, is known for her compelling geometric abstract works that explore complex narratives.
Her latest pieces are featured in the exhibition titled “A Bird, A Cage, A God of Flowers,” on view at MONO8 Gallery. The title, inspired by Mary Oliver’s The Kookaburras, employs potent metaphors to explore the tension between containment and liberation.
In this new exhibit, Delfin delves into the intricate complexities of trauma, using abstraction as a powerful tool for emotional navigation and expression.
The exhibition is divided into three parts, each exploring the space between confinement and freedom through both wall-bound and sculptural works.
The first part, “A Cage,” reflects the experience of trauma using everyday objects like a parasite, broken glass, a shadow, and a tomb. These familiar forms show how trauma can appear in ordinary life.
In the second part, “A Bird,” Delfin looks at how trauma affects the body and mind. She plays with depth and perspective, creating disorienting visuals that reflect how trauma can disturb one’s thoughts and physical state.
The final part, “A God of Flowers,” focuses on healing. Using symbols of community, movement, and new beginnings, Delfin offers a quiet but hopeful view of recovery. Instead of presenting healing as a clear destination, she shows it as an ongoing and personal journey.
The exhibit, co-presented with Lunas Collective, opened last July 26 and will run until September 27 this year.
The gallery is open for viewing from Wednesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.