ART PREVIEW

by Dr. Barbara Aust-Wegemund, Art Critic

A spread of poetic-surreal artworks surrounds the 16th edition of the Art International Zurich (October 16-19, 2014) with works by Pamela Gotangco. Inundated with visual metaphors, collages, newspaper fragments and symbolic icons, her artwork appears in a tactile interplay of spaces, graphic lines, colors and words. In the heart of Zurich, Art International Zurich showcases innovative contemporary art in an exclusive location of the Congress Hall Zurich. The juried art fair is featuring an international slate of artists and galleries.

The art fair promised to be an important event for all serious collectors, curators, museum directors and interior designers, providing an intimate look at some of the most important work at the forefront of the international contemporary art movement. Some of this year’s highlights includes the artworks by Pamela Gotangco. On focus are her recent Geisha and Ballerina series which invites art lovers at Collectors’ Preview to discuss about it. Pamela Gotangco holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Studies and graduated from Miriam College Manila (Philippines). Her work has been featured worldwide (Basel, London, Zurich, Miami, New York among others) and is held in private and public collections. Born in the Philippines, she has lived in several major cities such as New York, Hong Kong Abu Dhabi and is currently based in Zurich.

In reviewing the artistic concept of her Geisha series Pamela Gotangco explains: “I relish the innuendo of being a woman. My work tends to resonate feminine whims that are tender and cunning. Rather than just an embodiment of flesh, I see the female figure more as a resonating chamber – like in a musical instrument, but with essence. Each contour has a suggestion, every shade has a tale although our perception and comprehension may bear no resemblance. Female artisans fascinate me the most. Behind the alluring manifestation, skilful flirtation and savvy transactions lies a woman. My eagerness led me inquiring on their sentiment and agony.This intrusiveness lead me to unravel the perplexity of the skilled artisan, of the Maiko, of the coming of a Geisha. Each discovery amplifies my enthusiasm. It is then that they started appearing in my canvas."

Pamela Gotangco’s the work is influenced by Japanese Manga and Anime movements which include an exploration of feminsim through grotesque or distorted images when she featured playful goldfishes, pink dressed Ballerinas confronted with fighting soldiers.
While the fights continue, the Ballerina tries to call Peace for help with her mobile phone, safed with the peace icon on her contact list display. Pamela Gotangco’s work is focused on the structure and underlying desires behind a veil of danger and mystery. Combining a Pop aesthetic with the Japanese cute culture, the work references to Japanese anime (animation) and manga (comics).

Although Pamela Gotangco’s female figures are fighting with inner or outer struggles, the Geishas and Ballerinas find their roles step by step, like the worm growing in the cocoon to a beautiful butterfly. As if to emphasize their extreme sensitivity, the figures are of powder white skin. These colors remain in delicate, nuanced and atmospheric style. The paintings’ dense, chalky surfaces and areas of monochromatic richness recall to ancient wall frescos.

Pamela Gotangco intends to create a dialogue between the artwork and the audience that would gradually create awareness. Objects on her work are mainly subtle representation of occupation, status or behavior that interplay with each other to complement the main subject. The artist mentions about her recent work:“ My new works inspiration are mainly product of current event or sociological problems presented in my canvas in a light but hopeful manner.”

No doubt, that Pamela Gotangco’s view lies within herself with a degree of faithfulness to her own emotions. The recent series seem to break free of the laws of earthbound gravity and common sense, portraying a fantastic and bizarre world. Pretty playful. Pamela Gotango’s floating vision offers us a sensation of emotional release, a feast of visual pleasure.

LOCATION

Pamela Gotangco at Art International Zurich

ART INTERNATIONAL ZURICH 2014
Congress Hall Zurich
Claridenstrasse 5 (Entry K)
CH-8002 Zurich, Switzerland
www.art-zurich.com

Opening Hours:
17-19 October: 11.00 am – 8.00 pm
Opening Reception, 16 October: 6.00 - 10.00 pm

CONTACT ARTIST
Studio Pamela Gotangco
Email: pgotangco@hotmail.com
www. gotangcoart.com

CONTACT AUTHOR
Source/ Copyrights
Dr. Barbara Aust-Wegemund
info@arthistoryconsulting.de
www.arthistoryconsulting.de

About the Author:

Dr. Barbara Aust-Wegemund, born in Zurich/ Switzerland, is an Art Historian and Managing Director at Art History Consulting (AHC). She studied Art History at Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel (Germany), University for Foreigners Perugia (Italy) and London Guildhall University (UK).

In 2002 she earned her PhD from University of Kiel with a Dissertation on Henry Moore and was working in the Henry Moore Foundation and Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO). Barbara is an art historian who has written widely on modern and contemporary art. Her essays have been featured in monographs, exhibition catalogues, e-zines, journals and Goethe Institute Inc.