Flocking Animals

For his solo exhibition Flocking Animals, presented by Art Cube for Art Fair Philippines, Guerrero Habulan
delves into the dynamics of congregation—the unseen forces that draw individuals together, shaping
collective identity and critical mass. Through his layered, intricate compositions, he dissects the interplay of devotion, tradition, and historical burden that define the post-colonial Filipino experience.

Habulan’s fascination with mass gatherings stems from his long-time documentation of native feasts, particularly the Traslación in Quiapo and the Holy Week processions in Pampanga, where fervent devotees engage in self-flagellation and crucifixion rites. These rituals, steeped in Catholic symbolism, also reveal a deeper syncretic nature, merging indigenous and colonial influences into a singular, complex spiritual expression. In his works, this convergence manifests through figures in flux—assembled, moving, and drawn toward an unseen yet palpable force at the heart of the composition.

Revisiting and reconfiguring past motifs, Habulan transforms the once-passive “sitting ducks” into standing figures—emboldened, resolute, no longer merely subjects of fate but agents within a collective movement. His figures, often juxtaposed with Western iconography both real and imagined, refuse subjugation. Instead, they stand their ground, meeting the gaze of history—and the viewer—with unwavering presence.

The visual intensity of Flocking Animals is reinforced by Habulan’s dynamic use of oil and acrylic on both paper and canvas, integrating techniques drawn from Abstract Expressionism, figuration, and serigraphy. His approach embodies paradox—disparate elements coexisting in a unified pictorial event. The artist refers to this as “conjoined,” where no singular element can be removed without disrupting the whole. Multiplicity does not fragment but rather fortifies, creating a visual dialogue that mirrors the layered realities of Filipino identity.

At its core, Flocking Animals is both an inquiry into and an affirmation of the collective—its power, its resilience, and its capacity to forge meaning from history’s remnants. In an era of fragmentation and uncertainty, Habulan’s work reminds us that in coming together, we do not merely survive; we assert our strength, solidarity, and fortitude.