Gateway Gallery hosted Dreamscapes: The Art of Perfecto Mercado Exhibit from August 25 to September 9, 2018. I used the word hosted because this is a late post.
According to the curator’s notes, Perfecto Sablan Mercado (1950 – 2011) was an artist who lived great and lived right. A prolific self-taught artist, Mercado was relentless in his pursuit and practice of art. To him, art was all that mattered, next to his family and God. In an art career that spanned 40 years, Mercado created a formidable body of works that continue to inspire artists and enrich viewers. Given the challenges that faced a self-taught artist with no powerful connections, Mercado nevertheless triumphed in amassing a collection that vividly manifests his sincerity, depth, ingenuity, and technical excellence. Supreme to these however is the soul of each artwork, each a conveyor of universal and spiritual truths of timeless relevance: goodness, justice, nationalism, stewardship, love, faith, and salvation.
In this exhibit, the meaningful and striking pieces from the Mercado family collection were carefully selected and grouped according to the artistic styles as presented in the book Dreamscapes: The Art of Perfecto Mercado by Gari R. Apolonio.
All of the artworks on this post as oil on canvas.
For other art exhibits at Gateway Gallery, please read Primiera: 2nd Annual Juried Pastel Exhibition, Part I, Primiera: 2nd Annual Juried Pastel Exhibition, Part II, Harmony: Pastel and Watercolor Group, Part I, Harmony: Pastel and Watercolor Group, Part II, and Spontanrealismus Lecaroz.
For related entries, please read Sining Saysay: Philippine History in Art, Gateway Gallery Revisited, and Topiary Garden.
Here are the photos of some of the artworks included Dreamscapes: The Art of Perfecto Mercado:
Perfecto Mercado’s work table. The work table is the last that Mercado used in his studio in Capas, Tarlac before his passing. It is recreated here to show the various original art materials that he used when painting.
Perfecto Mercado’s work table contained the cane, which aided in his walking after his stroke and the Bible which he religiously read every morning at around 3 or 4AM.
Also on the work table were his log books where he scribbled and doodled on after waking up to record his dreams.
Gateway Gallery Address:
Gateway Gallery is in the 5th Floor of Gateway Tower, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City
Gateway Gallery Hours:
Monday to Sunday 10am to 7pm
Gateway Gallery Contact Number:
(02) 588 - 4092
Gateway Gallery Entrance Fee:
FREE!
How to get to Gateway Gallery:
- Take the LRT-2 to Araneta Center-Cubao Station. The exit is adjacent to Gateway Mall. Take the elevator to the 5th floor or the escalator to the cinema lobby of Gateway Mall. It is to the left of the theaters when facing the ticketing area.
- Take the MRT-3 to Cubao Station. Go to the bridgeway that connects Farmer’s Plaza to Gateway Mall. Take the elevator to the 5th floor and exit in the Gateway Tower. The Gateway Art Gallery is next to the Topiary Garden.