Cesar Caballero

On the Discovery of Joy

From Spain to Manila, Cesar Caballero’s magic lies in his ability to immerse himself fully in any culture.

May 22, 2017

Text by Hannah Jo Uy

“I always try to find something,” says Cesar Caballero, “most of the time I don’t know what it is. Also, most importantly, I don’t know how to approach it. This equation gives me the power to continue painting.”

Curiosity and the hunger to understand have long been the proponents of Cesar Caballero’s artistic drive. Vibrant and full of life, the artist has an adventurous streak that compels him to dive into situations that allows him to experience the unique spectrum of experiences that life has to offer. He paints to understand, but most importantly he paints to appreciate and capture the beautiful chaos that is the world we live in.

Caballero has never been scared to venture out of his comfort zone, creatively, conceptually, and even geographically. Early on, the Madrid native has cultivated a creative and dynamic spirit. He owes his unique and deeply layered aesthetics to his previous work which involves a diverse range of disciplines such as painting, drawing, engraving, graphic design, photography, design art restoration, comics, advertising, and stage and TV production. He never felt confined by one genre or medium, he explored all possible manners in which he could communicate the feelings and ideas that, often, he was also trying to understand within himself.

He embodies a unique and distinctive balance in terms of aesthetics that truly sets him apart. As he faces the canvas, Caballero draws from the strong artistic foundation he built, even from when he was a student of prestigious art institutions across Spain. He, however, also allows his inherent spontaneity and playfulness to shine through. This is best seen by his ability to showcase a unique and unexpected visual take on ideas in an effort to challenge prevailing mind-sets.

Caballero continued to heed his restless spirit, and this eventually led him to the East where he fully and wholeheartedly immersed himself in the cultures of the Orient. Caballero found himself indelibly drawn to one country, which has served as his home for the past 11 years: the Philippines. “Philippines is an amazing country,” he says, “with amazing people everywhere. I can see and feel the talents of the many people around me, all the time. In my personal experience, coming to Philippines was an extraordinary time to express my art and watch my family grow.”

Though he has made Philippines his home, Caballero continues to travel and explore new cultures and discover other potential means of expression. Speaking not long after his most recent trip to Japan where he took to studying their traditional techniques, Caballero admits, “The Orient, for an Occidental like me, is always a big attraction. Japan is a great reference for me, for the history of the art and of course of the craftsmanship.”

For Caballero, the creative experience cannot be captured in words as it is the embodiment of the endless spectrum of emotions associated with relationships and the human experience. “I really love painting,” he said, “All the time, I try to discover new approximations to express the infinite possibilities of life and meaning without the persons who love me nothing of this would be possible. My wife, Mathilde, and my kids—they are my philosophy.”

The value of family in particular, and, in a broader sense, the significance of deep human connection, remains most crucial to Caballero.These are aspects that continue to drive his curiosity with regard to what life has to offer, which guides him as he unleashes himself to the canvas to yield bold, vibrant, and pulsating works. “Life, for me, is an infinite source of inspiration,” Caballero said, “Painting is a kind of expression, a beautiful channel to try to converse with someone that we may not usually know. We could use different techniques and resources to try to create this “conversation” but if nobody is there to appreciate it, nothing really happens.”

This appreciation for life has led to Caballero’s insightful comments and his most recent exhibit, “Insomnia,” at Galerie Astra. The show provided a fascinating visual commentary on the superficial conception of connection in contemporary times through poignant and raw paintings overflowing with complex emotions.

“‘Insomnia’ was a sleepless exhibition,” relates Caballero, “In the current days it is really difficult not be connected with the rest of the world, hypnotized by the information, with the idea of paying attention to everything , all the time.”

The assault on our senses, which is particularly prevalent in modern times, was of key interest to Caballero who aimed to incite among viewers a strong appreciation for life in the present. His love for the present is something that he builds upon in creating works that capture the overwhelming external cues flooding our consciousness keeping us from experiencing the moment.

Indeed, Caballero continues to be an eternal student of life, admitting that he remains in this world to learn as much as he can, as fast as he can.