Man's Best Friend

EJEM ALARCON ‘ MAN’S BEST FRIEND ‘

April 19, 2022

In Man’s Best Friend, the sixth solo exhibition of Ejem Alarcon, he simplifies and further strips down all possible complexities in a painting. Against an obviously stark white background, Alarcon leaves out only the barest essentials espousing the most basic core of dogs as the closest and most lovable creatures known to humans.

A fine arts graduate Alarcon had to unlearn what he was taught in college by breaking conventional artistic traditions–paying little attention to perspectives and perceptions. His canvases are void of people as outsized dogs sometimes with other animals surreally on top, portraits canine often in a jolly mood complete with party hats to share light banter in these trying and desperate times.

For Alarcon, furry dogs—some endangered, endemic and even personal–are his preferred creative images during the pandemic. Scientific findings say dogs have been the best against loneliness as they want to be around their owners and love to please them. They are good company for walks as it lowers the blood pressure. Lastly they are the most loyal animals we know. As the saying goes, you have to kick me out like a stubborn dog.

Alarcon revises his own distinct visual language, concerning himself more with what dogs signify and how their inherent characters relate to daily aphorisms of his artist-friends and collector-clients who favor them.