Dreamscapes

Visual Artist Mario De Rivera invites viewers into “Dreamscapes” an immersive journey through richly layered realms inspired by memory, myth, and boundless imagination. Blurring the boundaries between real and surreal, de Rivera’s body of work unveils visual landscapes that remain deeply personal yet still universal in aesthetic and appeal. His works draw from a life of varied experiences – reimagining reality from the point of view of more than just a chronicler. Through a dynamic interplay of collage, fabric, gold leaf, mixed media, and painted surfaces, he constructs visual narratives that transcend both place and time.

At the heart of the exhibition created within an almost three-year period is a deep exploration of cultural identity and creative storytelling through both form and abstraction. Figures emerge and appear among botanical motifs, patterned textures, and symbolic motifs drawn from diverse cultural landscapes including Southeast Asian iconography. His dreamlike compositions present a dynamic, otherworldly contemplation of his world unfolding across panels and folding screens adorned with intricate, gilded textiles and ethereal overlays. His own unique life experiences are beautifully reflected in a collection simultaneously visually opulent and emotionally resonant.

Ultimately, “Dreamscapes” encourages viewers to reflect on what it means to experience, remember, and imagine. With his own personal history embedded within the artworks, he reminds us that creating art is not just an exercise in observation, but a dynamic act of participation in life itself. He not only depicts the world, but rather, engages with it—through symbol, form, and material—transforming lived experience into layered visual poetry. He infuses his dreamlike compositions with a sense of himself, inviting viewers not only to observe, but to feel, to remember, and to enter a space where anything and everything can be limitless.

Mario de Rivera (b. 1953) earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Santo Tomas. He applied his advertising major in his work in the Middle East and China. As an artist, De Rivera was represented by renowned galleries back in the day such as Solidaridad, Mayi Gallery, Hiraya Gallery and Gallerie Bleu. In a span of five decades since his 1974 first solo exhibit in Manila, De Rivera has mined an oeuvre of rich visual imagery. Described by esteemed art critic Alice Guillermo as the creator of paintings with “sumptuous imagery…showing the rich confluence of cultures,” Mario De Rivera has maintained a distinctive profile in the country’s art scene. Art Critic, writer Cid Reyes writes, “In every visit to a De Rivera show, it’s as if an image bank had split open, whence emerges an opulence of fabulous scenery, a veritable tapestry of pictorial memories drawn from a well of antiquity and contemporary pop temper.”

“Dreamscapes” by Mario de Rivera will run from June 10-21, 2025, at Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt. The gallery is located at 3F, Greenbelt 5, Legazpi Street, Makati City. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas at +63 936 225 1226 or email gallerianicolasgreenbelt@gmail.com.