WILD BLOOM

"The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore." —Vincent Van Gogh

Ombok Villamor is a man who continuously reinvents himself. Coming from humble beginnings and experiences of instability during his youth, he is constantly innovating and purposely determined to progress, develop, and explore new pursuits and endeavors in order to succeed, to learn, and most of the time to enjoy the process along with his journeys. He is down to earth, persistent, and pragmatic, but nevertheless always a dreamer and a warrior who is zealous in what he believes in. Being an artist is his gift; hence, his thirst for creativity and advancement manifests in all aspects of his undertakings.

In this exhibition titled ‘Wild Bloom’, Ombok presented his usual style of underwater-inspired paintings, with the highlight being his latest creations of coral-inspired sculptures. Metaphorically, ‘Wild Bloom’ is the story of his life. It meant transitions and flowering. A portrayal of progression and blossoming in contrast to a fierce environment. From his own words, “Hindi ka makakakita ng paghihirap sa aking mga gawa kundi panay kagandahan na yumayakap sa lahat ng ito” (You will never see any reflection of struggle in my works, but rather beauty encompassing all).

Corals symbolize metamorphosis and preservation, which rightly reflect Ombok’s life story, which is full of turns and roundabouts before reaching this point in his career. These new series are an attestation that Ombok is never satisfied and persists in evolving. The evocative twisting and the rhythmic patterns of the trunks and stems, the exquisite leaf and flower-like structures that are spread out meticulously, and the rich and vibrant colors that are pulsating with energy all come into play that make beautiful masterpieces; however, looking beyond it, one will see how he composes himself in life, which transcends in his art. He is both reflective and energetic.

Ombok is forever inspired by the sea. It is his ultimate muse; hence, his formative years revolve around it. As a fisherfolk, he spent his leisure time looking at the vastness of the skies and the deep water, contemplating life through them. He observed that the ocean is full of mysteries and yet theming with life like the bioluminescent corals when he dives through it. The stars in the night sky mirror it, beaming with light and guiding his kind in their journey across the Pacific. Endless and unfathomable, the sea and skies maybe, but hope is what he understands and relates to it.

Ombok ran away from his family in his teens and stayed with his relatives in Samar because his kin could not afford his education. After some time, he ended up being a fisherman and later began to study architecture with much nudging from his aunt. He always wanted to be an artist, but his sponsor opted to secure him a better future. He did finish college; however, he took jobs not related to the course, such as in the printing business, and was not successful. His life took many turns and beatings, despite reuniting with his parents and siblings. He contemplated taking a different path, but his resolve never wavered, like the calmness of the sea, which he considers his second home. Eventually, he served as an assistant to the master abstractionist Raul Isidro and gained momentum from there. Steadily, he worked with galleries and became the Ombok Villamor we know about. Additionally, this exhibition marks the launch of OMVI Art Gallery, which is Ombok’s latest passion project. He likened the gallery to a place for fellow artists, not just to showcase their works but, most importantly, as a training and conceptualizing ground to nurture and launch ideas. An artist-run gallery for him is like a coral reef. It is a nursery, a sanctuary, and a haven for artists. Grand it may sound, Ombok’s allusions to his latest collections, which are 3D sculptures parallel with the debut of the OMVI Art Gallery, echo the man's constant pursuit for success. All of it, of course, is rooted in humility and his willingness to share what he has to offer in the art community. Ombok, I believe, is the coral himself. He is blooming persistently in the wilderness.

‘Wild Bloom’ was on display at booth A1 of Manila Art 2023 (A New Contemporary) from October 11–15, 2023, at the SMX Aura Convention Center.