New York gallery to exhibit Filipino painter Montilla

Cattleya, oil on canvas CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

NEW YORK CITY – Agora Gallery in Chelsea will feature the original work of Filipino artist Ricky Montilla in “Modalities of Expression” starting on October 10 until October 30.

The opening reception takes place on the evening of October 16, at 6-8 p.m. Entrance is free and the public is welcome.

Where Impressionism moves towards Realism, painter Montilla evokes the threefold language of color, shape and texture in oil on canvas. Figures, flowers, foliage, waterfowl and, lately, Japanese koi fish, make up much of his subject matter.

Whether rendering rippling lines of light running along the scales of a fish or lush and billowing color on the petals of a dewy

Myriad of Koi, oil on canvas CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

flower, these works draw upon deep reservoirs of sensual awareness.

Inspired by Philippine national artist Fernando Amorsolo and the great masters of his homeland, Montilla’s works depict scenes of daily life with ample amounts of emotion and splendid coloration.

Artist Ricky Montilla

Drawn to the natural beauty of earth elements and figuration, his works are classic paintings infused with moments of contemporary flavor.

Ricky Montilla was born in the Philippines and resides in Bellevue, Washington. He studied fine arts, majoring in painting, at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila and has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions throughout the Philippines, the United States and Asia.