Brazed Innocence

“Brazed Innocence” taps into the youthful mind of renowned artist Nixxio Castrillo. A striking contrast from his previous abstract sculptures, Nixxio’s youthful passion results in a playful, amusing, and fantastical series of sculptures inspired by his tender childhood.

In this exhibit, mixed-metal sculptures that portray charming caricatures of animals capture the audience’s attention, signaling a resonance from our own childhood memories. Designed to be visually endearing, these animals are mementos that introduce a child’s wonder to the complex yet essential elements of life such as kinship, emotion, intellect, and creativity to name a few.

Much like how Nixxio’s sculpted caricatures intend to attract a child’s mind, they also hold a special place for the adults who resonate with his artistic style, expressing nostalgic sentiments to his sculptures as they likely resemble characters from children’s movies, cartoons, story books and the like.

In essence, “Brazed Innocence” is a spirited artist’s novel interpretation of a child’s frame of mind. Considering the stark contrast between the lightheartedness of innocent animals and the heavy-duty use of mixed metals, Nixxio brazenly combines two differing worlds, offering a refreshing perspective of childlike-themed subjects in the artistic field.

Nixxio Luarca Castrillo (b.1970) is a Filipino sculptor with commissioned works found locally and abroad. Castrillo was commissioned to do a St. Joseph bas-relief for Ilocos Norte, a bust portrait of F.B. Harrison for the Province of Baras, a monument for the City of Valenzuela, and the Holy Family in California, U.S.A. He has worked on a monument of the former president, the late Noynoy Aquino, for the City of Manila; and also has ongoing projects for the National Housing Authority.

Nixxio’s artistic style infuses color, with architectural forms and tight compositions, nuances which he learned and understood as a departure from the mainly defined creations of his father, Eduardo Castrillo. Each facet of Nixxio’s own unique oeuvre is explored in the form of odes and tributes to his renowned and highly accomplished father. His background in architecture has impacted his body of work, most apparent in how his artworks interact with the environment, creating canyons and valleys of shadows between lines.

“Brazed Innocence” by Nixxio Castrillo will be on view at Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt from October 4 – 15, 2023 with an Artist Reception on October 6, Friday at 5 PM. Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt is located at 3F, Greenbelt 5, Legazpi Street, Makati City. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas at +63 936 225 1226 or email at gallerianicolasgreenbelt@gmail.com.