Collection: Origins | Oct 2021

While humanity has undoubtedly taken great strides in its perpetual pursuit of progress, there occasionally comes that sense - that yearning - in people to long for the much simpler joys found in immersing themselves in nature, spending time with family, or simply finding inner peace. But in today’s world where change is the only thing that is constant, and success is put above all else, it seems that barely anyone is given to pursue such inclinations. 

Can anyone honestly remember the time they last watched the sun set or rise? Or felt the pure, solitary joy of going for a contemplative stroll? Or had a genuine connection with a friend or loved one? It’s not that culture makes it impossible for people to appreciate the small things they tend to overlook on a daily basis; it’s just that the constant humdrums of the urban jungle and the anxieties that go with them sometimes make it a bit more difficult to enjoy such moments, however fleeting. 

Which is not to say that there is anything wrong with the pursuit of the daily grind; in fact, it may be essential to one’s security and advancement in the world, and may even be the source of one’s relevance and worth. But the majority probably also has the propensity to look at the wrong places when searching for what they truly yearn for in the first place. What if the human preoccupation for acceptance and recognition prevents many from achieving what they truly desire? What if single-mindedness and ambition - two of the most glorified traits of the times - make it harder for people to attain true happiness? Could the external or outward appearance of success really compensate for the feeling of emptiness deep inside? 

In the midst of such existential questions, art can perhaps help humankind in formulating their personal answers to these philosophical musings. And why in the world not? In a world where moments are brief and memory is frail, art immortalizes things that would otherwise be forgotten. This sentiment is powerfully expressed by the artworks in the exhibition that follows. What follows isn’t just a random sequence of unrelated paintings; it’s a timely reminder to take a step back - to breathe, to live a little - and to remember that anybody with hopes and dreams is one and the same in terms of his or her frailty and humanity. 

The Grey Space PH is proud to present its latest exhibition . . . Origins.

Written By: Ian Pantaleon