Max Balatbat - National Gallery Singapore – Gallery Benefit 2023 New York Friday, November 10, 2023 | Phillips

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  • Provenance

    Courtesy of the artist

  • Catalogue Essay

    Estimates for this auction are in United States (US) dollars.
    Bidding will be in US dollars.


    An assemblage of scavenged scrap materials and acrylic paints, this piece recreates the structure of a kapilya, also known as a church or house of prayer. Drawing inspiration from the churches on the streets of Avenida in Caloocan City, the Philippines, and the diverse crowd of passersby looking for the means to survive, Max Balatbat juxtaposes the faithful and the so-called immoral masses within a singular piece of art. Compelling the viewer to contemplate the blurred line between sanctity and profanity, he ultimately raises questions about what truly constitutes a holy place, and what it means to be righteous.

    Balatbat is an astute chronicler of the essential goodness found within the derelict and chaotic. His works often portray the gritty realism and gentle humanity found in brothels, shanties and abandoned buildings—places that are commonly perceived as bleak and lowly. His thought-provoking works have been exhibited internationally and garnered critical acclaim. He was awarded the Silver Medal for Painting in the Florence Biennale (2009) for Avenida Manila, a work that portrays Manila’s red-light district.

    This lot is physically located in Philippines.

    Prospective buyers should note they are responsible for the costs of transporting the lot from its current location to the buyer. This includes the cost of obtaining any required export and/or import licences or permits and paying any applicable taxes. The buyer of the lot is responsible for complying with applicable export and import laws and regulations. Prospective bidders are therefore advised to make independent enquiries.

79

Kapilya

signed and dated 'MAX 23' lower right
acrylic skin, aluminium sheet, rope, thread, paper, acetate, charcoal, crayon, oil, wax, rustic metal sheet, nails, printed, acrylic spray paint, fabric, polyurethane material, metal tray, salvage wood, resin, pencil, enamel, used canvas, burlap and acrylic on canvas
91 x 91 cm. (35 7/8 x 35 7/8 in.)
Executed in 2023.

Estimate
$7,500 - 10,000 

Sold

Contact Specialist

Christine Fernando
Regional Representative, Singapore
christinefernando@phillips.com
 

National Gallery Singapore – Gallery Benefit 2023

10-18 November 2023