Painter Ricky Ambagan Takes The “Shelfie” To An Enchanting Level

This year, the realm of influencers have indeed expanded those who have a love for books. There’s even a hashtag for this breed of social media creatives, their book recommendations and their beautifully-styled book cases… #BookTok. If this hashtag’s over 95 billion views mean anything, it is the renaissance of a new type of influencer: the one who loves to pursue learning, knowledge and the literary word. A quick research on the hashtag also reveals loads of interior styling inspiration, from those organized in rainbow-colored fashion to those that showcase the occasional meaningful memento, an heirloom perhaps or a prized token from a trip to remember fondly.

One can argue that the paintings of artist Ricky Ambagan will see much appreciation from the #BookTok community. ​​Ambagan is a storyteller at heart, encouraging dialogue or evoking a sense of nostalgia that has captivated the hearts of his viewers.

The painter once again narrates enchanting visual tales at Salcedo Private View, with his solo exhibition titled ‘no one had foreseen…’ which will run from December 1-17, 2022. As a sequel to his previous solo exhibitions at Salcedo Private View, ‘From Here’ and ‘I’m Coming Home’, this collection of oil on canvas works once again pulls its viewers into the realm of the familiar and invites them to see themselves in the place of the pajama-clad boy that takes center stage in these stories where the bookcase is the venue for the beginning of many discoveries.

The general theme explores a child’s journey to an expansive world within his imagination, brought about by his own curiosities and pursuit of knowledge. Primera shows a boy sitting on the shelf propped on a composite column while reading. The books are neatly stacked and almost organized, if not interrupted by the scattered displays of toys and papers. On top of the shelf, the word ilustrado is inscribed on a wooden tab, while pictures of Jose Rizal and Juan Luna’s ‘Spoliarium’ are taped on the shelf. Ilustrado, meaning “the enlightened” - the boy takes his first step into enlightenment like the scholars of old by the simple act of opening a book.

The storyteller that he is, Ambagan allows his viewers to piggyback on this boy’s road to enlightenment and discovery. His series of paintings render the depth of how the boy gets completely immersed in his reading - the books get disarrayed, the ornaments float, new fantastical objects appear, and toys come to life. Ambagan brings these scenes to life with his impressionist brushstrokes and flair for the surreal.

Take a trip to the enchanting world Ambagan created through his paintings:

- Like a culmination of the story, or perhaps just the beginning of another one, ‘Out of the box’ depicts the boy calmly continuing to read his book on a rock in the middle of a sea with choppy waters. He has returned to his peaceful reading and disinterest in his surroundings. Around him, boxes float without disruption - evoking a sense of composure and tranquility. Courtesy of Salcedo Auctions

- In ‘First Flight,’ the boy faces the pandemonium of his newfound world - the shelf disassembling and objects seemingly floating or falling. Yet he is unafraid, taking on the stance of preparing to take off a flight as he grips the straps of his wings.Courtesy of Salcedo Auctions

- ‘The Other Side’ sees the boy, with a cape on his back, facing a sky-like expanse behind the bookshelf. An army of toys stand by him, seemingly encouraging him to take a step forward. Courtesy of Salcedo Auctions

- We begin to see it in ‘Digging Deep,’ where the bookshelf itself begins to unravel, opening to a world beyond.Courtesy of Salcedo Auctions

- Ambagan further showcases his mastery of his medium and technique by breaking away from the overall wooden tones of this collection. ‘The Wolf’ stands out with its icy cool tones and inclusion of animals. The boy sits in the fulcrum of the seesaw, flanked by a hippopotamus and bear on both sides. The bear made of glass weighs down the lever on his right. Courtesy of Salcedo Auctions

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About the Artist

A graduate of the College of Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines-Diliman, Ambagan started out as an abstract artist who found satisfaction in impressionism, before finding his voice in figuration. His works have won him numerous awards since 1998, including the GSIS Painting Competition Grand Prize in 2011, The Juror’s Choice Award for LRT ART 2009, and the Philippine Art Awards Luzon Regional Winner in both 2011 and 2012. He has also mounted two sold-out exhibitions at Salcedo Private View, and set a record prize with his oil-on-canvas opus ‘Uncut’ at The Well Appointed Life auction in 2020.

Ricky Ambagan has always challenged himself to venture outside his comfort zone, resulting in his mastery of various artistic techniques. He portrays his experiences in distorted images of social life, hyperrealist reinterpretations of famous works, and surrealist renderings of his thoughts and feelings. The motifs he uses are familiar - drawing viewers into his works like an old friend one hasn’t seen in a long time.

“no one had forseen” runs through December 17, 2022, 9AM to 5PM at the main gallery of Salcedo Auctions (NEX Tower, 6786 Ayala Avenue, Makati City). The online catalog is available starting Dec. 1 at salcedoauctions.com. For inquiries, email info@salcedoauctions.com or phone +632 8 8230956 | +63 917 591 2191. Follow @salcedoauctions @gavelandblock on Instagram and Facebook for updates.