Michael Cacnio (b. 1969)

Lot description

Kite Trio signed and dated 2005 brass H: 30" (76 cm) L: 9 1/2" (24 cm) W: 24" (61 cm) León Gallery wishes to thank Mrs. Tess Cacnio for confirming the authenticity of this lot A magnificent masterpiece that takes you back to nostalgic scenes of simple childhood, Michael Cacnio presents an arrangement of bronze sculptures that magnificently explore themes of childhood, innocence, and the simplicity of Filipino everyday life. One full of freedom and aspirations—of dreams, and growth. Made in 2005, the brass sculpture presents three figures flying a kite—each having their way of reigning in their respective kites as it soars from the skies. The Left child has the most dynamic movement of the three—pulling the kite while raising their knees, as if about to run, to make their kite fly higher. Reflecting a child’s initiative and curiosity. The second one is the most stable of the three children. Sitting down criss-crossed as the figure holds their kite—reflecting control and learning. On the other hand, the third child had the most open posture, standing directly upright—lacking the dynamic urgency of the first child yet mastering the stability of the second child. Revealing confidence and mastery of flying the kite. Taking notes of each posture, it is easy to interpret that the masterpiece itself might represent essential stages of growth and development, each represented by how they learn how to fly the kite: One tries to fly the kite high, one tries to learn how to maintain the kite’s height, and finally, one enjoys flying a kite. Different stages of growth, yet each is equal in scale and grounded in the same collective childhood experience. (Mark John Castañeda)