Ronald Ventura

“We are constantly reminded of it. In the newspapers, on TV and the internet. The world is collapsing around our ears, sings Michael Stipe of REM in Out of Time. The signs are all there: global warming, terrible floods, strange weather and diminishing resources. Some species following the way of dodo and becoming zoological footnotes. The only thing missing would be signs in yellow ochre and black declaring the end of the world is nigh. Unless. We. Do. Something. About. It.” – Ronald Ventura

“Recyclables”, over 40 new works by leading Filipino artist Ronald Ventura produced in collaboration with STPI, explores humanity’s relationship with its environment and challenges our belief systems in a wide range of art produced from rubble and mythology. Visually complex and robust in form, Ventura ‘recycles’ stories and imagery from popular culture and folklore and makes expansive, multi layered works with print, paper and discarded urban materials. Soon after setting a world record auction sale for a painting by any South East Asian artist, (US$1.1 million in May 2011 at Sotheby’s Hong Kong), Ventura was already pushing limits and producing new collaborative works with STPI’s workshop team.

Ventura said, “Working at STPI has made me revaluate my own artistic strategies. STPI’s workshop technology, materials, and expertise enabled me to make great experiments. To try new things, to figure out new ways, to do art in a manner that has never crossed my mind, and to end up with something surprisingly fresh and undeniably new in this artistic wonderland at the heart of the Lion City.”