Kalsada by Max Balatbat

There’s always a good reason to come back to Bencab Museum. It’s an art haven away from the hustle and bustle of the city – what more could you ask for? And this time, we also came back to check out the opening of “Kalsada,” an art exhibit by Max Balatbat.

“Kalsada” is a series of mixed media art, each a brilliant juxtaposition of textures, colors, and geometric shapes, made from debris and materials collected from, yes, you guessed it, the streets of Manila.

But the materials used by Max Balatbat are not the only things that make “Kalsada” what it is. Through abstract, Max captures the grunge and rawness of Manila street life, showing that even junk and forsaken objects can be used to evoke emotions and memories.

Max Balatbat took up Fine Arts in the University of the East, having shifted from Architecture. He had his first solo art show in 2010 at the Art Center Philippines. He has also exhibited his work outside of the Philippines, such as in Singapore, Austria, Italy, and China.

As for young, aspiring artists, Max’s words of wisdom, based on experience, are simply “to be true to yourself.” He encourages young artists to be unique, find your own style and keep working on that.”

Bencab may be a 30-minute drive away and it might take some waiting to get a ride back to the city, but every visit is worth it. So check out “Kalsada” by Max Balatbat, which will be on display until August 14, as well as all the other great works of art on display.