EAT ALL YOU CAN

Growing up in Negros, a region renowned for its sugarcane industry, my childhood was steeped in a culture of sweetness and indulgence. Birthday celebrations in my family were marked by my mother’s enthusiastic preparation of cakes and food, bringing a sense of joy and togetherness. These experiences have profoundly influenced my work as a visual artist.

“Eat All You Can” is a familiar phrase in Philippine restaurants, inviting patrons to indulge without restraint. This phrase, laden with both promise and irony, forms the thematic foundation of my exhibition.

The artworks in this exhibition are sculptural paintings, characterized by three-dimensional impasto acrylic paint on canvas. Departing from traditional methods, I employ cake decorating tools such as icing bags to apply the paint, creating textured, relief-like surfaces. This technique adds depth to the works and evokes the sensory experience of confectionery.

Nostalgia plays a crucial role in these pieces, reflecting our inherent desire to find joy and celebrate life’s moments. Yet, this pursuit of happiness through consumption carries an ironic undertone. Overindulgence in food can lead to obesity, and an excess of sweets can cause diabetes—a reality that resonates deeply with me, as both my mother and grandmother suffer from the disease.

This body of work explores the dichotomy between celebration and excess, questioning cultural tendencies that equate consumption with happiness. It delves into the deeper implications of our cravings and the ways in which we justify them, ultimately examining the complex relationship between indulgence and well being.

-Lindslee