Divine Thread | Anton Mallari

Two worlds occupy Anton Mallari’s paintings: one that celebrates the splendor of natural beauty and another that drifts into the realm of the mystical. This duality forms a rich tapestry in his art, sparking an inquisitive search for new meanings in representation and portraiture. Mallari navigates this intricate balance with the skill of a sojourner, deftly exploring the boundaries between fantasy and reality.

The lines and edges present in his symbolic and pictorial representations, seemingly fundamental at first glance, function as portals to liminal spaces. They open gateways to potential re-creations of worlds, inviting viewers to embark on the same journey. Through Mallari’s artistic intervention, these two worlds converge, blending into delineated fantasies that intertwine nature with the human form. The face of a woman, rendered with astonishing naturalism, becomes a focal point in this exploration. It embodies the ideals of beauty while simultaneously sharing a deep enchantment with the surrounding elements—birds, beasts, foliage, and flowers. This connection suggests a revelation of some deeper truth that resonates with the natural world around her.

Yet, there is a methodical approach to Mallari’s work that goes beyond mere aesthetic appeal. He describes his art as an intricate portrayal of both the past and the future, highlighting how these other worlds and layers of illustration surrounding the portrait are not simply decorative but indicative of beginnings. They serve as traces of the creative process, revealing how the piece originates and remains intentionally unfinished. In this way, the viewer is invited to engage with the artwork at multiple levels, contemplating both what is present and what lies beyond the frame.

Mallari employs lines of gold and black to underscore the differences and connectedness of these worlds. These lines act as underlying structures, weaving the fabric of reality itself. In his art, beauty can be perceived either as an illusion or as a reflection of veracity, challenging the viewer to consider the complexities of perception and existence. The interplay of light and shadow, along with the intricate detailing of his subjects, reinforces this divine thread that mends the various aspects of his artistic vision together.

In one of his larger works, Mallari takes this concept further by extracting the outlines from the background and placing them prominently on the gallery walls. Here, he utilizes steel that has been painted in gold, bending and welding it into forms that illustrate a more expansive depiction of the conjoined realities of creatures and nature. This approach not only draws attention to the structural elements of his work but also transforms the viewer’s understanding of representation. The physicality of the steel contrasts with the ethereal quality of the painted images, creating a dialogue between the tangible and the intangible.

Through this method, Anton Mallari invites his audience to reflect on the interconnectedness of all living things, emphasizing that beauty exists not just in isolation but as part of a larger, hidden essence. His paintings offer a rich exploration of the duality of existence, weaving together the natural and the mystical in a way that captivates and challenges our perception. The glowing lines act as if selections that spawn within the image to fuse the organic with the painting’s own materiality and illusory effect. Making us ponder against the spectacle—these are but fragments that are still in progress, and will continue for as long as needed. This exploration of relationships—of the part and the whole, is at the heart of Mallari’s vision.

/CLJ