Filipino visual artist Trek Valdizno is set to exhibit his work in Galleria Duemila’s solo exhibition, Convoluted Universe, from March 22 to May 3, 2025. The exhibition explores the intersections of truth, illusion, and perception, featuring 13 acrylic-on-canvas paintings that showcase Valdizno’s fluid approach to abstraction. The exhibition features enigmatic and familiar compositions, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in a realm where visual abstraction transforms into a narrative of contemporary concerns.
Valdizno’s new body of work reflects his response to the contemporary landscape of misinformation and distortion. “As an artist, I began questioning my existence and defining what exists in my mind,” Valdizno shares. “This dreamlike, out-of-this-world abstraction wants to tell a story—a story in which abstraction creates familiarity, as depicted in the natural world.”
Convoluted Universe is my perspective on the world at large—my motivation and pressure in this time and age, where everything catapults an existence of disbelief into the world of fake narratives and falsehoods.
As an artist, I began questioning my existence and defining what exists in my mind. This dreamlike, out-of-this-world abstraction wants to tell a story—a story in which abstraction creates familiarity, as depicted in the natural world. I try to narrate my abstract reality within a world of illusion and misunderstanding— that art, be it non-representational, can tell a story.
The exhibition catalog features exhibition notes by acclaimed artist and writer Jonathan Olazo, who offers a rich and illuminating exploration of Valdizno’s artistic language. Olazo’s reflections delve into Valdizno’s calculated use of contrast, fluid gestures, and layered brushwork—elements that define the artist’s distinct visual identity. By contextualizing Valdizno’s approach within broader artistic movements and contemporary themes, Olazo reveals the artist’s ability to translate complex ideas into compelling visual narratives. His insights provide viewers with a deeper understanding of the intricate layers within Valdizno’s practice, guiding them through the artist’s exploration of truth, perception, and abstraction.
Trek Valdizno (b. 1968, Bulacan, Philippines) is a leading figure in Filipino abstraction, known for his innovative visual language. A graduate of the University of the Philippines Diliman with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Valdizno has exhibited extensively at venues such as Galleria Duemila and The Drawing Room, as well as international spaces. His paintings combine expressive brushwork with meticulous structure, evoking shifting realities and blurred boundaries. Valdizno’s work continues to resonate through its exploration of perception, narrative, and social commentary.
