Rodel Tapaya

The painting is in good condition, as is the canvas, which is clear and taut. Indications of minor wear and handling are found around the edges, but are unobtrusive. The paint layers are well preserved. Examination under ultraviolet light reveals no indication of retouching. Unframed, on stretcher.
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Rodel Tapaya’s oeuvre is inspired by the rich visual flavors of his native country. Through the paintings are multi-layered with meanings, the Filipino artist’s frequented themes are morality and tradition. This is evident within Tapaya’s recent works. While the artist may favor to recycle motifs and styles, it should be noted that his current body of paintings demonstrate an interest in abstract imagery and technique.

The present painting The Mastermind depicts an image of a man holding a fishbowl, amidst a condensed landscape filled with brightly colored flowers and shapes. The fishbowl may represent the unconscious, with the fish an extension of the mind in meditation. Water has purifying qualities, aiding in the regeneration of the spirit and preservation of life. The man’s face is also like that of a fishbowl. It is transparent and round, and inside it contains an immense landscape, reminiscent of the memories that are planted within an individual’s mind.

The self-titled character resides in a mountainous terrain, where at the base is a pictorial symbol of home. Water lilies dominate the background, their growth a visual depiction of ideas that spread, and take hold of our subconscious. The two-headed wolf signifies deception and confusion. Each scene appears separate from the other, however it is the man’s presence that holds the painting together. In The Mastermind the artist has created a dream-like world for the viewer to inhabit, and subsequently question.