Circular Art of Himbon can be viewed in the show Pagtilingub, the coming together of Iloilo’s largest art group, Lower Ground Floor of SM City Iloilo.

Viewing the works over the weekend brought me into a tete-a-tete with a passerby who, by coincidence, was at the mall to meet a friend and saw the exhibit Pagtilingub by Himbon. Fascinating collection in circular shape, she quipped, adding that it was her first time to come face-to-face with circular paintings.

I responded that circular paintings have become synonymous with the group, and, interestingly, each of the exhibits offered something new for discovery and to learn about art.

Humbly, I have covered many, but not all, of Himbon’s art exhibition, especially during the pre-pandemic period when personal time was generous for art coverage. The group did not start off with circular paintings when it was formed in 2017. Artworks by Himbon were varied in terms of approach, style, and medium, which genuinely reflects the multi-disciplinary and dynamic nature of the group.

Circular paintings slowly gained prominence on its exhibits upon its first anniversary in 2018, which was commemorated with a show titled “Full Circle”. Likewise, one or two of its members carried circular artworks in a June 2018 Philippine Independence Day exhibit titled “Cultural Freedom”.

Read: HIMBON Contemporary Artists celebrates 5 years of art making for the masses

The years that followed have found Himbon celebrating its annual anniversary event with a group show called “Full Circle.” Its fourth (2021) and fifth (2022), respectively, carried the same title, serving as a reminder that the group has come full circle or has turned full circle.

Circular art presentations carry rich symbolism and meaning, and they have been used to convey a message or represent values and philosophies by different cultures across continents and generations. Symbols matter in art, for they represent ideas or convey messages that cannot be fully expressed in words.

Reintroducing the tondo technique

Himbon’s circular composition is known as the “tondo” technique, derived from the Italian word rotondo, meaning round or circular.

The tondo technique traced its roots to the Greeks, yet it became a popular style of painting and sculpture during the High Renaissance through the works of Sandro Botticelli and Michelangelo Buonarotti. Their circular works of art in fact integrated tondo in the title of the work as a descriptor and also to indicate that it is a circular work of art.

It is shown by Michelangelo’s marble relief sculpture entitled Pitti Tondo and another piece, Taddei Tondo, among other works, which can be found online.

Although the tondo style has not been prominently discussed by Himbon in its exhibit statements, the exhibits that show circular works of art were, in a way, a reintroduction of the rotondo technique to the Ilonggo audience.

Himbon has experimented with the circular shape, not only by developing circular canvas and framing but also by exploring various materials for their composition, and this is demonstrated by the artworks in the show Pagtilingub.

The work of Harry Mark Gonzales, titled Kagandahan ng Pagsubok, a cold-cast marble, is perhaps one of the nearest examples that can be associated with Renaissance circular relief sculpture using the rotondo style.

All the artworks of 28 artists in Pagtilingub are rich in symbolism, and they are excellent studies of the rotondo style, especially the composition, colors and form, and subject matter.

The experiment on circular artwork may initially show uniformity, but the continuous practice and presentation of Himbon members indicate the diligence to apply collective decisions for non-conventional ways of art presentation, something that is above their individual practice, and it shows that they encourage themselves to push beyond the limits as a group.

Derivatives of Rotondo

The circular work of art also has a derivative in the Spanish word “rotunda,” or roundabout. It is one of the closest references that can bring the public to an understanding of the rotondo technique, this time in the form of physical structures, architectures, and public monuments.

One example is the Jose Maria Arroyo Fountain, a roundabout in front of Casa Real that shows a sculptural piece composed of Grecian muses that were originally naked but later enhanced with clothing because it was displeasing to the eyes of those with a conservative faith.

Another one is at the Ayala-Atria Rotunda, where the Donato Pison, Sr. monument stands, represented by the old muscovado chimney. It has a 20-foot-diameter base sculpture with carvings that depict the four industries that the Pison family patriarch has led and that have stirred the local economic development of Iloilo.

The monument was rendered by Himbon’s advisor, Ed Defensor, together with Fred Orig and Harry Mark Gonzales.

A circle is a unifying symbol.

Over the years, I have found the shape “circle” as a sort of symbolism art linked with Himbon. This is principally illustrated by its circular logo with the words Himbon Contemporary Artists Group as an internal element, which means that the group is unified.

The circle shape is attributed to unity because things inside it are held together. Its meaning is substantiated by Himbon in the series Full Circle and in Pagtilingub. The element is almost present in all its graphical materials, conveying that when people come together (pagtingub), they form a circle to solidify their strength.

Also about Pagtilingub: Himbon artists come together for 6th year show

Himbon’s turning into a full circle annually is a marker of progress and not merely a representation of boring cyclical existence, like moving in circles without a direction. The circle is emblematic of the internal and external challenges and struggles of Himbon, a shape that also means “contained inside”. As such, Himbon draws its collective strength from within through the commitment, dedication, and cooperation of its members. This is manifested by the circular artwork that each and every member brings to the exhibit.

Consequently, the circle is a symbolic element that holds them together despite the coming and going of its members. It is not driven by sheer numbers but rather by commitment to art.

Pagtilingub is Himbon’s celebration of solidarity and wholeness. It signifies that the beginning meets the end and that the end offers a new beginning.