David Medalla (1942 - 2020) - Bacchus Asleep

Lot description

Property from the Ofelia Gelvezon-Tequi Collection David Medalla (1942 - 2020) Bacchus Asleep signed and dated 1990 (lower right) oil on canvas 25 1/4" x 30 1/4" (64 cm x 77 cm) Medalla: Playful and Disruptive The Only Filipino Artist at the Tate Modern, London “Gazing upon a work by Cruz, one immediately comprehends that there are two paintings at work – or rather, two separate acts of paintings. There is a thick, three-dimensional layer of brightly colored paint, sometimes squeezed directly from the tube in criss-crossing stripes or a a kind of stream-of-consciousness pattern. This layer – dominant, taking up space, commanding attention – acts as a mask over another painting, one that is almost obliterated yet familiar and easy to read….Even though buried under a heavy lattice of multicolored paint, the basic compositional elements of the classical painting can be traced and understood by the viewer, if not with their eyes, then with their mind.” —Ofelia Gelvezon-Tequi David Cortez Medalla (23 March 1942 – 28 December 2020) was a Filipino international artist and political activist. His work ranged from sculpture and kinetic art to painting, installation, and performance art. He is the only Filipino artist to be represented in the Tate Modern in London, with not just one but with two works. The first is his iconic. Cloud Canyons No. 3: An Ensemble of Bubble Machines (Auto Creative Sculptures, 1961, remade 2004) that is one of the Museum’s centerpieces. A second work is “Sand Machine Bahag - Hari Trance.” Both reveal Medalla’s playful and disruptive vision of the world. This black and white rendition of the God of Wine and Song is as unexpected as all of Medalla’s pieces. Ofelia Gelvezon-Tequi recalls her encounter with the work here. Regarded as the “Greatest of All Time” by art lovers in the Philippines, David Medalla embodies the spirit of the true artist. A pioneer in his craft, Medall is determined to find the limits to art and pushes it to its extreme as he constantly breaks the traditional definition of art through his avant-garde works. Though mostly known for his sculptures, Medalla’s canvas works are also a sight to behold and his 1990 Bacchus Asleep is a testament to that. The subject matter is a favorite topic of Medalla, who returned to the image multiple times throughout his career. He depicts Bacchus, the Roman god of wine and revelry, sprawled across the forest floor in a possible bout of intoxication. His multiple interpretations of the same image portray the precision with which Medalla pursues his craft, a mark of a true artist. (Hannah Valiente)