GALLERY

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The exhibit “Beyond Life” seeks to help Catholics this Lent to “meditate on the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ through the paintings,” said Fr. Giuseppe Arsciwals, OP, prior of the Sto. Domingo Convent.

Quoting Velasco’s wife Queenie, Father Arciwals said the exhibit was so titled “[because] Joey has left this world but he continues to live through his paintings.”

Velasco, who died last year, was noted for his paintings and other artworks that combine Christianity and social realism.

“Hapag ng Pag-asa” is Velasco’s version of the Last Supper on a 4x8-ft canvas. It depicts Christ breaking bread with Filipino street-children. Models for the children were street urchins who have since been rehabilitated.

Also on exhibit is “Hele,” which shows Christ with special children.

Velasco’s affection for the young people is displayed in “Munting Sereneo,” in which three children help the suffering Christ carry the Cross.

“The season of Lent is about how God loves us so much and the works of Joey Velasco remind us of that great love,” Arsciwals said.

Velasco, a businessman, had a kidney condition and attributed to God his recovery in 2005. Although he did not study Fine Arts, he turned to his old passion, art.

Distinctive in his works is the French painting technique called grisaille, which he learned from the Salesian fathers of Don Bosco school, where he studied. The technique stresses the contrasts between subjects and their background. Thus, his works became noted for their chiaroscuro.

But Velasco resisted the tag “artist” and chose to be called a “heartist,” for his penchant for depicting social situations with the eye of his Catholic faith.

Although he became celebrated for his paintings, Velasco never sold them: He reproduced them in posters. His works remain property of the foundation established by his wife and friends.

The foundation has an art center at 13 Walnut St., West Fairview, Quezon City, to showcase the artist’s works and provide social services.

Pledges of support are accepted by the foundation. (Cash and checks may be sent to Marie Queeny Sunga Velasco, TITF Joey Velasco Foundation, Metrobank Fairview Branch, account number 241-3-24133546-2. Call 4287300, 9366123; e-mail joeyvelascofoundation@yahoo.com.)

Museo de Santo Domingo vows to continue mounting exhibits that celebrate sacred heritage.

“The exhibit is not simply about art,” Arsciwals said. “It is also about faith. We hope that this exhibit would lead people to a profound spiritual experience.”

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Call 7126271 to 74 or e-mail santodomingoconvent@yahoo.com.
Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer