Meeting Benches World art in all forms
A distinctive and sustainable approach to creativity
The Meeting Benches welcome a modern and contemporary Filipino artist born in 1970 in Negros Occidental. Known for his unique style that often features masked human figures in various environments, from landscapes to cityscapes, Neil Pasilan began his artistic journey in his youth, sculpting clay figures and creating small handicrafts such as necklaces and pendants, which he sold at local festivals. Over time, he switched to painting and has since become a prominent figure in the Philippine art scene. His works have been exhibited in numerous galleries and museums, including Artinformal in Makati. With his distinctive style, this artist even highlights the bond and commitment that binds husband and wife together, as if they were a reflection of each other. Pasilan’s art is deeply autobiographical, in fact, by capturing moments of personal meaning and translating them into visual form, he uses his work to tell stories of his life.
Through his art, Pasilan also addresses social issues, such as poverty, inequality, and the impact of urbanization; his works, therefore, often serve as a critique of social norms and challenges. One of his most notable exhibitions was at Art Fair Philippines 2020, where he exhibited a collection of 125 paintings depicting his life story. Undoubtedly, his works reflect what he considers important. Each piece Neil Pasilan creates is a reflection of his journey as an artist. His art often reflects his personal experiences and the world around him, making each piece a page in the diary of his life. Showing his creativity at a young age, when he was modeling clay figures, which he has continued to do as an adult, he favors working in different forms and media. His works are a mix of old and new, however, they always maintain his signature style, full of human figures in disguise.
Nail Pasilan often portrays the complexities of human emotions and relationships; His masked human figures often symbolize different aspects of the human experience, from joy and love to pain and struggle. Pasilan’s art delves into a variety of themes, often reflecting his personal experiences and observations of the world around him. He enjoys painting landscape backgrounds with rivers and fields, as well as busy cityscapes. For him, one of the most prominent artists in the Philippines, art is also an expression of himself, as he feels influenced by his type of experiences and reaction to the things around him. A self-taught visual artist and brother of an artist, he was born into a family of craftsmen and boat builders.
His art is rich and multifaceted, inviting viewers to interact with his work on multiple levels. Raised in the Philippines, Neil Pasilan’s work often incorporates elements of Filipino culture and heritage; this includes traditional motifs, local landscapes, and scenes of daily life in the beautiful archipelago where he was fortunate to be born. He also paints people from his family and close friends. Among his paintings, his mother, a woman who found the strength to raise her children after the death of her husband, inspires one. His imagination flows easily from his hands to the canvas, but only after he has absorbed and deeply appreciated it. Each work Pasilan creates is similar to a diary entry, and together, they are the visual story of his life. Everything he creates in his studio inevitably captures the visual impressions of his day.
Many of his works feature natural elements, such as trees, animals, and landscapes; these elements often serve as backdrops to his human figures, creating a dialogue between humanity and nature. He enjoys talking to people, even on the street, just to get a different kind of perspective on life. One of his desires is to be able to share with others what he learns from exercising his creative streak. As a creative man, he was introduced to art through sculpture. Despite the conflicts that surround them, the subjects of his paintings, husbands and wives, but also parents and children, remain together. With clay, Neil Pasilan has made pendants and masks, but over the years his collection has also included small paintings. Currently residing in Manila, he is known for his multi-layered and medium-sized paintings.
His paintings are characterized by a naive style, with rough and masked human figures; a style that gives his work a raw and expressive quality. Neil Pasilan’s art is deeply personal, often incorporating elements of his life and experiences. This autobiographical approach adds a narrative layer to his work, making each piece a part of his life story. He often paints backgrounds that depict natural landscapes, such as rivers and fields, as well as urban landscapes. These settings provide a rich context for his human figures; these techniques help him create art that is both visually striking and emotionally resonant. You can find his works for sale on several online platforms, such as MutualArt, platform that offer information on various works by Neil Pasilan, include auction details and prices realized.
