Max Balatbat (b. 1978)
Untitled
signed and dated 2014 (upper right)
mixed media
36" x 48" (91 cm x 122 cm)







Compared to the ambiguous and more lucid characteristics of most abstract works of art, the contemporary oeuvres of Max Balatbat exude a distinct sense of familiarity that is undoubtedly rooted in the truth of being human. Self-confessed to have grown up in the rougher side of his hometown of Caloocan, Balatbat is no stranger to the challenging and often absurd realities of everyday life. His works feature elements taken from a variety of visual cues that populate our current surroundings and experiences. From semblances of newsprints and old flyers to shapes that seemingly resemble sheets of galvanized iron sheets, and other common objects, Balatbat’s works present us with a pure and unfiltered glimpse at our current condition; one that is artificial and man-made, but undoubtedly real in the truest sense. It is not only the context of Balatbat’s works that make them engaging, but the technique as well. Though the artist’s works appear to use a variety of found-objects and ephemera, in reality, Balatbat manages to achieve a certain distinctness between his elements by applying certain conditions to his paints. Balatbat heats his paint in order to achieve his desired effect, with his rougher and harder elements requiring more effort than their relatively smoother counterparts. Balatbat then layers his pieces together, creating his characteristically unique brand of contemporary abstraction. (J.D.)