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A medical doctor has turned to art to make concrete his own journey of faith. Cardiologist Alex A. Ayco holds Indwelling, a solo exhibit of paintings, assemblages of wood sculptures, icons, antiques, found everyday objects that express a solitary pursuit of faith and spirituality, a personal worship that became his solid mooring during the pandemic.
Indwelling opens April 24 at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Espiritu Santo (Reyes Hall) in Tayuman, Manila, and runs until May 24. It follows his first solo art exhibit at Pinto Art Museum last February 12 to March 4.
From ‘Indwelling’: Found object, acrylic on wood, acrylic on metal
Dr. Ayco told TheDiarist.ph: “During the lockdown I got inspiration since I would attend daily Mass and the holy hour. I was scared initially during the pandemic, but praying and going to Mass led me to create from things that have accumulated and opened my box of acrylic paint and brushes. I started painting, then went into assemblage, aside from painting on canvas.”
To him, creating became a manifestation of grace and faith. The canvas became the expression of his religious belief and devotion. Then he’d assemble the religious icons, wood sculptures and whatever objects there were into small art installations.
In the notes on the exhibit, Msgr. Dennis Odiver writes: “Indwelling is the faith journey of an artist engaging us to seek and find in artistry and creativity…. the Holy Spirit loving us, forgiving us and renewing us.
“His artistic pursuits in this pandemic helped him explore and discover the God-within-us. Every art piece expresses how God is present—how He relates and moves to bring about healing, transformation and growth in our lives.
“Indwelling is a testament to the God of art and history whose beauty and narrative fascinates and intrigues, whose order and truth astounds and liberates, whose life and action animates and powers.”
Carlomar Arcangel Daoana in the notes of the exhibit at Pinto Art Museum wrote: “….Indwelling often refers to the idea that a divine presence, such as the Holy Spirit, dwells within a person…a spiritual presence, evoking a connection to a deeper truth within oneself or in the world….”
“Ayco has reinterpreted them as markers of his own personal journey, especially during the time when he was looking for answers to questions related to one’s search of meaning.”
“Indwelling is not just artistic pursuit but also a search for one’s own truth, a way of discovering faith, hope and spirituality…. The exhibition testifies to art’s curative and uplifting powers, especially when invoked in the darkest of times.”
The pandemic has given a tough lesson for humanity to learn—that matter perishes and materials things are impermanent, including the human life. We lose friends and loved ones, so that in our fear and despair, we grasp for a solid anchor—faith in a Higher Being. Dr. Ayco has found that anchor.
