In “The Madrid Collection,” Arnold Lalongisip creates intricate snapshots of the capital city’s history and culture through his signature black and white shades.
An overview of the Philippine art scene today isn’t complete without the name Arnold Lalongisip. The artist has become a fixture in Filipino contemporary art through his sought-after, hyperrealistic black-and-white paintings of nature. Yet in his latest series of works, The Madrid Collection, Lalongisip ventures beyond his depictions of twisting trees, delicate flora, and vast waterscapes, opting to capture an urban environment for the very first time in his career.
Inspired by a trip he took to Spain’s city of Madrid, the collection is an intimate one comprising only 12 masterpieces. Each one showcases his mastery over details, lighting, and perspective, presenting his signature techniques and aesthetic sensibilities in an entirely new light.
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Snapshots Of Madrid
Lalongisip’s renditions of Madrid are nothing short of breathtaking. To honor the city, he felt it was important to choose places that are historically and culturally significant. Like his past works, they seem to be black and white photographs from afar. A closer look at The Madrid Collection doesn’t ruin the photographic impression; rather, it heightens one’s appreciation for the amount of care he puts into every stroke—from the textured cobblestone streets to the ornate, sculptural detailing in landmarks like Plaza de Toros, the Monument to Alfonso XII, and the Royal Observatory of Madrid.
Of course, while Lalongisip focuses more on cityscapes in this series, glimpses of nature still seep into the urban surroundings—partly because Madrid does have swathes of surrounding greenery, and partly because nature has always been an integral part of the artist’s DNA.
In rendering the scenes, Lalongisip wanted to capture gentle movements of the environment—swaying ripples of water, flying birds, flags waving in the air. Despite the nature of a bustling city, there’s still a calm, quiet, almost solemn aspect to his works.
Translating His Perspective
This might make some wonder: why not simply take a photo of these places? Why render them with such effort? For Lalongisip, this is the test of a true artist: the ability to translate your perspective onto the canvas with your own two hands.
“One sign of higher intellect is art; that is what makes us stand apart from animals,” he shares in an interview with Lifestyle Asia [translated from Tagalog]. “Besides the technicality, you pour your soul into it, your thoughts, to connect with the minds of viewers.” [“Isang sign ng higher intellect ang art; that is what makes us stand apart from animals. Bukod dun sa technicality, pasok mo yung soul mo, yung iniisip mo, para i-connect mo dun sa mind ng viewers mo.“]
An admirer of the Old Masters, the artist gleaned a lot from his trip to Madrid—which has been a center of arts and culture for hundreds of years—taking inspiration from the artistry he saw in every corner of the city. “The moment I landed in Madrid, even just the airport, I was amazed. They had beautiful paintings and murals already displayed,” he states. “As an artist, you feel like you’re in heaven, you’re on cloud nine.” [“Pagdating ko sa Madrid, sa airport pa lang, mayroon na agad silang painting doon, may murals sila. Bilang artist, parang nasa langit ka, nasa cloud nine.“]
To paint a single landmark, Lalongisip studied multiple photographs, translating their forms as he perceived them. Incorporating other elements, such as a variety of birds and boats floating on bodies on water, also required the study and careful combination of other reference photos. Details need no explanation: viewers will see posters plastered on the walls of Plaza del Toro, including their images and blocks of paragraphs, and immediately understand the level of skill needed to render them in a way that feels seamless and cohesive.
Through The Madrid Collection, Lalongisip doesn’t just take us on a tour to the famous city: he creates a visual narrative that distills the essence of what it meant to him at a particular moment, both as a human and artist.
Catch Lalongisip’s newest series of works at Art Underground from December 10 to 23, 2024. Art Underground is located on the second floor of Mabini180, 180 Mabini St, San Juan, and is open from Monday to Saturday, 10:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.
Photos courtesy of Art Underground.
