Tamondong In Color Dynamics

Christian Tamondong holds his 10th one-man show billed "Pajama Party" from July 12-31, 2008 at the Blanc Art Space. Ten years before (in 1998), he was a passionate art student of the Institute of Fine Arts of the Philippine Women's University. His former instructor in Color Dynamics, Nimfa Ursabia, was kind enough to share some of Tamondong's class seat works with me. They truly convey Tamondong's early fascination with colors and shapes- the springboard to his now whimsical, somewhat cartoonish and metaphoric images. Here are two of them, posted with permission from the artist:

The Insomnolent Life in Tamondong's Pajama Party

Tamondong's somewhat dark, provoking, and humorous images are back.

As I sat and listen to him, I realized that he really never ceases to intrigue the restless mind. And one may continue to go on exploring and dig dipper into Tamondong’s fancy as he mounts “Pajama Party”, a look into an insomniac’s gray matter, on July 12 -31, 2008, at blanc, Crown Tower, 107 de la Costa St., Salcedo Village, Makati City. .

Asked on the rationale of “Pajama Party”, Tamondong quipped “as an insomniac, I get the most creative juices at the wee hours of the night. It is when ideas pop and battle in my own consciousness.” It is in this consciousness that the antics of the restless nocturnal are stirred.

“Pajama Party” mirrors that consciousness. To cite an example, “Pillow Fight” is an attribution to throwing ideas and the battle of these thoughts in one’s brain.

His “Truth or Dare” simply reflects the game– a reality where one chooses either to open up or withhold at the mercy of the spinning empty bottle. “Jack & Company”, takes on one’s security blanket – a toy that becomes a witness, a sort of a friend to everyone and company to one’s mood and thus, becomes a source of inspiration.

“Be with friends on a drinking spree” seems to be what “Big Bellied Beer Buddies” says as a way out of a seemingly restless night.

“Bitch”, says Tamondong is a study on life’s bitchiness. One has to go on with the flow of life’s complications. And for the insomnolent life, there is always a stalker in oneself. There seem to be these omnipresent eyes that watch him on every thing he does. The body, no matter how restless, gives in and the mind simply tones down.

“Super Strong” speaks of the gentleness one craves for in the aroma and taste of pure and strong coffee. They simply relieve the tired heart.

It’s a busy life with relentless creation amidst isolation. There is no resentment but the thought of the unadulterated life in "Missing My Once Calm Self", gives Tamondong's hyperactive mind a respite. AA

Tamondong's Zoo La La: Homage to Animalandia

Zoo La La, Tamondong’s ninth one-man show last March, 2008 paid tribute to common animals in colorful menageries.

With inspiration drawn from a 6-week holiday in Thailiand, his show reflected the desire to "start a move whereby people treat animals with more love and respect." Back in Thailand, Tamondong noticed how well the Thais "took care, not just their pets, but animals in general." So he translated this high regard for these creatures on canvas in whimsical strokes and shapes.

In this exhibit at the Gallery Art Verite, Serendra, The Fort, Tamondong consistently conveyed his love for playfulness, humor, vibrant colors, and enchantment.

More of his ideas on canvas will be treated as treasures in his site www.christiantamondong.com which is currently under construction by Kaizen Internetworking.

Proud to be an Imuseño

Last night, October 6, 2007, I received an award as Outstanding Imuseño (Gen. Juan S. Castañeda Award) in the field of Arts together with a host of others in various fields by the Imus Municipal Tourism Council. I was hesitant at first to accept such an award because I felt that I have not accomplished much. I think the major reason was I caught their attention when I won third place in DeviantArt.com's Show Me Your Hometown Photo Contest last month. I even wrote an entry here about my actual experience in going through the preparation for the contest.

I actually drew attention of the world's artists and photographers to my hometown. The impressions and queries about Imus, made me feel fortunate to have been raised and born here. Also among the awardees is Christian Tamondong, my former student in high school who has made a name in visual arts and who I am so proud of. When I learned that he is in the list, I guess, I thought, its high time that I receive one. Another good reason, I thought, would have been that three of today's Imus municipal councilors were my former students- Jem Yulo-Guinto, Jenalyn Topacio, and Onie Cantimbuhan ( please check out the picture; I'm so proud of these guys!). And the happier I was when I learned that Dr. Corazon Ocampo, one of my former college paper advisers, will receive the award Adopted Daughter of Imus together with Senator Chiz Escudero as Adopted Son of Imus.

It was indeed a proud moment for many of us Imuseños. I personally feel that with such an award, it will make me more inspired to work for the common good as I work harder in my chosen field. I hope the rest of the recipients of the Gawad Parangal which is held annually to celebrate the founding anniversary of Imus, share the same sentiments. This year, Imus is celebrating its 232nd anniversary. Thanks to the screening committee consisting of Dr. Dante Papa, Obie Castañeda, Dr. Arlene Abella-Saunar, Emoy Francisco and Miong Aguinaldo for the recognition.

Christian Tamondong and his Whimsy’s Park

Kindergarten doodles, distorted toy images, dripping paints in nursery room colors, and things from childhood are what one immediately notices in Christian Tamondong’s works in his one-man show billed Whimsy’s Park at Gallery Nine in Mega Mall few years ago.

“There is character,” said a viewer. And she was right.

Tamondong refuses to look at others work when preparing for a show. Any thing may catch his fancy. He, however, admits Francesco Clemente, whose explicit works Filipinos may not readily accept, tops his list of artists he admires. In a way, Clemente has influenced him. But for inspiration, he draws it from Basquiat, a black graffiti artist.His fascination for these artists has helped him come up with a theme that veers away from a local flavor which he quickly dismisses as colonial mentality.

For Whimsy’s Park, it is simply about childhood sentiments and memories. “Picnic”, the centerpiece of the show, reflects a “salo-salo”- a gathering in a park amidst differences, he fondly relates. The prominent fresh paint drips are essential in allowing a sense of freedom that Christian always sees in children when obsessed with colors. His colors, evident in anyone’s childhood, bring one to a time warp making him feel a juvenile once more.When asked if Whimsy’s Park is his childhood, he kept mum. Again, he referred to it as anyone’s childhood but with a smile, he lamented on how fast a community is devoured by urbanization that there is almost no Green left.
There is a feeling of relief with this second solo exhibit since he was able to convey his repressed sentiments. They were both joyous and melancholic since he believes “an artist has no stable emotions; he can be happy for a moment then down for the next.”

His first show at the Drawing Room is simply expressive for he simply wants people to know him as an artist continuously experimenting with style and everything. “My whimsical, somewhat cartoonish work, springs from my fascination with colors and shapes. I simply aim to capture life’s truth and fancy – calm and chaos, love and hate, thus imparting fun and humor.” The ambiance of the Boulevard, public plazas and game arcades are where he gets them.

A character he truly is. At first glance, one mistakes Tamondong for a band player – cool and hipped. He started out as a greeting card artist and later found himself winning in the centennial and millennium PLDT-DPC Visual Art National Competitions and the Art Association of the Philippines (AAP) Annual Art Competition. These feats, however, were not the only parts of the equation that made him an artist. With additional dedication and discipline, Tamondong views his art on canvas as a continuing process and it doesn’t stop at Whimsy’s Park.