Disable Fiddler

(2006)
By: Elmer Borlongan

Submitted by: Sherren Marie F. Nala

Art Critique
CBET-19-301P
 Title: Disable Fiddler
Artist: Elmer Borlongan
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Dimension: 183 x 122 cm
Date: 2006

Description

The “Disable Fiddler” is painting finished by Elmer Borlongan in Philippines, 2006. This type of artwork can be considered to be
expressionism. Elmer Misa Borlongan born January 7, 1967 is a prominent contemporary Filipino painter best known for his distinctive use of
figurative expressionism. Expressionism refers to art in which the image of reality is distorted in order to make it expressive of the artist’s inner
feelings or ideas. His paintings evoked empathy, the artist is also keen to represent the humor implicit in the simple lives of people, as well as
feats of resilience and survival in the face of economic hardship. The painting shows a disable person that can play a violin. The person wearing
a simple shirt, pants and slippers. With blue background.

Analyze

In this painting shows a contrast of light and dark colors.  The artist use three Elements of Art that are the most apparent are color, line, and
value. It appears that mostly warm, bright and dark color, are used to complete the painting.  There are real lines in the painting because it is
painted in a realistic style.  The artist shows in the painting also exhibits three very important Principles of Design; contrast, balance, and
repetition. Contrast can be seen between dark and light values throughout the entire piece. The artist tends to choose darker shades of browns,
blacks, and greys in his works.

Interpret

I think the Disable Fiddler painting is all about person with disabilities or disable man that have a talent to play a Violin even though they are
disable.  It makes me think about that if God gave you a talent, show it to other because if some disable persons they can show their talents in
many people even they have disabilities, I think we can do also what they can do because were complete and not disable. The mood and feelings
of this artwork was happy because the artist want to show that be thankful on what we have if you are complete or disable just accept and be
happy. And let’s try to respect and help some people that have disabilities. This painting was so realistic because you can see this in every part
of Philippines the person that have disabilities.

Judgement

The best part of the works is, Borlongan's works revisit a gritty world of humdrum lives, weary perseverance, and unexpected tenderness. A
strong empathy with the marginalized and the disabled remains a constant presence in his works. Familiar scenes of ordinary people going about
their day abound with an edgy and dissonant twist. The strength of the works is, Borlongan's signature style is reflected in his rendering of
human figures that are rather elongated and distorted, with oblong faces and large almond eyes with a quizzical expression. The artist
communicates ideas by, "The eyes are a distinct trademark of his works. The people in his paintings don't show so much emotion, but you can
see it in their eyes." I learn that one does not see bright skies and colorful landscapes in his pieces; rather one realizes that in his dark and
desolate images, one is renewed with hope in this urban decay we all lived in.

Elmer’s cast of characters shows their private sorrow and quite psyche. We often pass by and take them for granted the sampaguita vendor who
has to work before school, the group of young boys in over grown shirts who beg and live in the streets, the drivers lounging in car parks waiting
for their bosses to emerge from their respective appointments and also the person with disabilities.