A different kind of silence — one that subtly pulls, shows, and guides in the hope that the viewers would discover what has always been in full view but eludes interpretation at a casual glance — reigns at The Metro Gallery from November 20 to December 4 with the mounting of the exhibit, “Silence of Meaning” featuring visual artists Ronald Caringal and Kadin Tiu.

Kadin Tiu's "Everything, Everywhere, Silence"

Silence of Meaning is Caringal and Tiu’s first two-man show together. “Silence of meaning is about peoples’ perception of the things they see. For example, they see a chair, and immediately they label it as a chair because they know how a chair looks and what its functions are. That process hinders the actual viewing of the chair; you don’t see the object fully because you already know it as a chair. The experience of viewing is thus cut,” quips Caringal.

Artists to Watch

Kadin Tiu's "The Brink of Understanding Rests on the Weight of Gestures"

Young as they are, Caringal and Tiu have already established themselves as artists to watch out for in the coming years, with their remarkable talents and the depths with which they view and understand life as it unfolds before them.

A self-taught visual artists, Caringal already commands respect from his contemporaries. He is known in the art circuit not just for establishing The Cubicle Art Gallery, but more so for his art technique of multiple glazing reflective of machine-like processes sans the aid of any technical device. Since his less than eight years in the art circuit, he has had five successful solo exhibits under his belt. He established his reputation as an artist to watch via his first solo exhibits, “Fuck Art, Sex Sells, and the Science of Body Language,” and “I Hardly Recognize You” in 2005. Then, all was quiet from his end for three years.

Ronald Caringal's "The Silence of Meaning is the Beginning of Being

Last year, he re-emerged in the art scene via two successful exhibits — Commitment re-Issues which was mounted in Singapore and Sigh — both of which showcased not just his adroitness with brushes, but his wit with words as well. Early this year, he held another exhibit entitled First Impressions Lusts.

Ronald Caringal's "The Dissolution of Illusion"

Kadin Tiu, on the other hand, started out as a self-trained artist. She initially ventured with photography where she has been applauded for her talent. Her photographs have graced the pages of Flow magazine and were included in the Preview anniversary art book. But she wanted to explore other avenues where she can showcase her creativity. Thus, she studied painting extensively under Caringal. In such a short time since putting down her camera to try the brush, she has launched her well-acclaimed first solo exhibit entitled “Becoming” which featured both her photographs and paintings at The Cubicle Art Gallery.

The Silence of Meaning is the highlight of the 18th anniversary celebration of The Metro Gallery. For details, call Chittyrene Cometa at 726-6543 or 0917-811-5399 or email metrogallery.sanjuan@gmail.com or chittyrene@hotmail.com.