Roldan Cruz Ventura

The work is in good condition overall, as is the canvas, which is clear and taut. There are indications of minor wear and handling around the edges, but paint layers are well preserved. Under ultraviolet light inspection there is no evidence of restoration. Unframed, on stretcher.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Roldan Cruz Ventura also known as Manok within the art society, moves from recycling found objects to rediscover the mystery behind each objects. Applying the same notion, Refuge highlights the textural nuances of his subject as it withstands time and nature.

Manok embarked on a personal journey that was both a revelation and an inspiration, allowing him to appreciate the serenity and the stability that such walls represented, documenting history on canvas.

Done in black and white, the oil painting recalls a bygone era, when lines and forms distinguished themselves by tonal value. Manok leaves his own contemporary imprint, making each element in the composition realistic. Behind the large-scale rendition of a seemingly ordinary wall reveals the meticulous process and compliment the aritst's technique. Each grid is finely rendered to depict the passage of time and the ensuing effect of the elements on the structure, reflecting its age and its resilience to defy destruction.

Most people would take these aesthetics for granted, but Manok’s gift for creating something new out of the old, allows him to rediscover and manipulate the object. The characteristics of the walls - smuged or cracked produces the focal impact of the subject.

Such deliberate attention to detail is inherent in Refuge, showing Manok’s ability to play around with the largest available space, tweaking it to match his perspective, an assemblage of details, textures, and hues he generously shares with his viewers. The key to his approach is not merely copying the image captured by his camera, but in the way he renders its special treatment into the canvas - adding a new dimension to the surviving entity, as if narrating a story.