Leaving Marks

In the delicate dance between art and nature, Shannah Orencio emerges as a trailblazer, challenging conventional perceptions of still life. Her latest exhibition, Leaving Marks, showcased at Art Cube, is a testament to her evolution in interpreting the genre, offering viewers a vibrant tableau where flowers, devoid of traditional vases, find their place in artfully arranged confinements, each bloom jostling for attention in a harmonious dance of colors and shapes.

Orencio’s still lifes are not just arrangements; they are living narratives, inflected with an autobiographical strain, vibrant with the spirit of optimism and a celebration of life. The title, Leaving Marks, takes on a profound significance as it unveils the essence of her artistic journey. Instead of depicting images indicative of the places she visited post the nationwide lockdown, including Tagaytay, Tokyo, Germany, and Copenhagen, Orencio opts for her signature approach. Her canvases are adorned with the native flora of these locales, a conscious decision to capture the essence of these places through the prism of their natural beauty.

The flowers, meticulously depicted in an accumulation within a box, become metaphors for the diverse landscapes she encountered. Rather than relying on the familiar landmarks, Orencio invites us to recognize the intrinsic connection between a place and its indigenous flora. Through her meticulous strokes, we discern the heartbeat of cities and regions, the unseen yet omnipresent natural features that contribute to their unique identity.

In her own words, Orencio shares, “Traveling can leave a profound impact on individuals, shaping their character, values, and worldview, and leaving them with a collection of experiences and memories that become a part of their identity.” This sentiment reverberates through her art, where each bloom becomes a living memento of her journeys. The canvases are not merely paintings; they are windows into the artist’s encounters with diverse landscapes, people, and cultures.

Leaving Marks indicates a complete departure from the constraints of life during the pandemic, a celebration of newfound freedom to roam and travel. In her exploration of different places, Orencio allows herself to be molded by the changing scenery and the people she encounters. The exhibition becomes a chronicle of her emancipation from the confines of indoor life, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of travel.

Through these works, Orencio not only leaves marks on her canvases but imprints the memories of her journeys onto the collective consciousness of her audience. Her floral arrangements—a riot of colors and shapes—serve as portals into the beauty and diversity of the world around us. In Leaving Marks, Shannah Orencio invites us to join her on a journey, not just across landscapes but through the very essence of life, as she leaves her indelible marks on the canvas.