Milma Onal’s works for “Return to Nature” reflects on environmental concerns as the artist addresses his own relationship to the natural world — as he perceives it and interacts with it. Reflecting from the pandemic and imposed lockdowns, Onal has become increasingly connected to nature which inspired the artworks for his latest exhibition.
For Onal, forms of nature speak to him in terms of human emotions. Nature evokes enthusiasm for solitude—a quasi-religious experience with God and the universe. For the artist, nature frees him from all liabilities of life, and when looking at landscapes, he finds himself concentrating on the “self”—that which is the spirit, the soul of being. Through investigating nature, the artist became compelled in understanding the self as he reflects on his own role and purpose of being. Art and philosophy are one during this introspection of observing nature and creating a landscape while painting.
The artworks for “Return to Nature” are considered as research project for the artist. His work process includes concept mapping and referential research about places and their historical, societal and ecological circumstances. Onal creates his signature landscape works as he understands it intellectually, making his art an expression of his concept of nature. The artist concentrates on the emotional expression and the aesthetic ideas that forms in nature may suggest.
The scope of Milmar Onal’s work is an awareness of the emotions which nature gives him.
The artist intends for the viewer to enter the landscape and be part of the scene merging him or herself into the picture and experiencing, even if for just a moment, its quietude, tranquility and relationship with nature.
Abstractionist Milmar Onal is a painting graduate from the University of Santo Tomas. Aside from participating in multiple exhibits, he also worked for TV and theater production. Onal also took several courses in Electronics that led him to develop a practice inspired from electrical flow and circuitry.
“Return to Nature” by Milmar Onal will be on view from November 24 – December 4, 2021 at Galerie Joaquin Podium. The Galerie is located at Level 3, The Podium, ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City.
