Basta Lang! Roy Ama's One Man Show in Cebu

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 Guest of Honors
 
 
In the world of art, it is a given notion that anybody nurturing his creativity at an early age will have a better opportunity to succeed than somebody who started late. Thus, it is natural for the gifted individual to develop his artistry while still young. However, knowing how difficult it is to consider art as a profession, not all of those who have artistic talents end up as artists, but more often than not, many have opted to take up another course, if only to attain a more lucrative life. This story has a semblance at how Roy Ama made his entry into the artworld.


Instead of nurturing his art, Roy has decided to takeup a course in Bachelor of Arts at the University of Santo Tomas. His love for music, however encouraged him to stop schooling for a while and joined  a group of young musicians performing in a foreign country. Returning from his foreign stint, he was hoping that he still can continue his studies in UST, however, he was informed that he had to retake most of the subjects that he had left behind. Finding the situation a waste of time, he decided to shift to Bachelor of Arts in Literature at Lyceum University. 

As the eldest in the family, Roy had to assist his father in marketing their plastic products and school supplies, while studying.  And as he aspired to be  independent, he  decided to establish his own  business in garments,  focusing more in T- shirt production and printing. Fully involved in this kind of business, Roy had to learn the importance of creative designing, thereby giving him an opportunity  to shift to the business of advertising. It was in this stage of his life where he met big clients that helped him attain financial success.


As Roy's business became bigger he started to earn big. The growth of his venture pressured him to satisfy  the needs of his clients.  

After experiencing a heart attack in 2005, Roy opted to give up his business and with great cooperation from his wife, he finally found the opportunity to nurture his love for art. To help him attain artistic growth, he purchased art books,  learned  art through the internet and asked guidance from his artist freinds. 


In 2015, Roy encountered his second heart attack and thought everything was over for him, but art became not only his refuge but  provided him hope and rekindled his new found determination to pursue his art.  

Starting late in the Art Industry, Roy understands that he do not have time to develop  a kind of art that  represents reality, or art that shows  details on lines, forms, values and colors. He thereby opted to express himself in Abstract Expressionism. 

In his own words, Roy has these ideas behind his art:

"As a commited Abstract Expressionist, the most intriguing question that crops my mind are: can I achieve that level where my work can express images that I can call my own, and can it identify as who  am I? Does my work resonate to my viewers as a manifestation of who i want to be? How long will my works be relevant to them? As my thoughts would wonder about these concerns, a  very profound scenario kept nagging me: how much of an influence does my subsconcious mind contribute to my painting, and how much does my conciousness influence my works final outcome?". 


As Roy  continuously explores the richness of his art aided with his unmindful gestural brush and pallete knife strokes, he understands that abstract forms of  unrecognizible shapes come into being, giving him the inspiration to continue and pursue a layering process, creating an artistic narrative that eventually, he can call his own.

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