Oman Gaitana will open his 2nd Solo Show entitled “Every(wo)man” at Baeay Art Gallery in Kalibo, Aklan.

Gaze does not just describe a long stare at an object; it is also an act that exposes power/knowledge. There is a gaze that positions a particular race, dominates a class, and critiques certain gender.

Observable is the dominant presence of gaze serving as tropé in Oman Gaitana’s paintings. This presence can be read in his use of eyes as the ever-present element (seldom absent) in his paintings.

The gaze in Gaitana’s paintings directly locates the viewer: angry, shocked, questioning, and also tempting; thrown back by the powerless to the powerful.

Clearly, Gaitana’s use of gaze questions the social order that continuously oppresses humanity—the humanity of every one—that of “Every(wo)man”, of every man and woman.

Oman Gaitana, an Ilonggo abstract painter from Oton, Iloilo, is a BS Architecture graduate of the University of San Agustin. He only started painting seriously during the pandemic and was able to join several group exhibits including one at Qube Art Gallery in Cebu.

His first solo show entitled, “Mu-aks” (Faces) was held at the Puluy-an Art Gallery in February 2023.

Baeay Art Gallery is at 980 New Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan, Philippines.