Sunday Breakfast

Pop culture meets nostalgia this May 2021 at Modeka Creative Space. The group exhibition Sunday Breakfast is reminiscent of the art themes from the early 90s In this exhibition, the impact of the decade comes to life as each artist looks back to their childhood experience.

The 90s were a lot of things; for some, it was a decade that stood as a catalyst for change. With the rise of new media, children grew up watching television, the world wide web paved the way to the future, and pop culture gained prevalence. Being the era of globalization, things were made more accessible than ever. It was also a decade of hope; in the ’90s, the word freedom gained new meaning as the world saw the cold war ending. On the polar end, some feared the 2000s, as they thought it would bring the end of the world as the decade ended, and the century closed.

Sunday Breakfast is an exhibition that reminds us of this era. The work of each artist in this collection is reminiscent of the hope and innocence they carried as children born in the 90s. Though they come from different environments and settings, their work embodies the culture and influences that the last decade of the 20th century had.

Arvin Santos translates his everyday experiences as a kid, into a series of pop culture references with his frequent incorporation of well-known characters in his work. Within each piece, Arvin likes to include political messages, allowing for a subtle— yet powerful social commentary on current events and issues such as the BLM movement, the Anti-Terror Law, and the current COVID19 pandemic.

Dahlia Macatangay, who spent her childhood in the United States of America (USA) often uses popular brands (in this case, chips and cereal brands) as her main subject, alluding to the consumerist behavior we now have normalized. With a strong influence from American artist Andy Warhol, her use of bright colors on big canvases harnesses the iconic pop culture look that was prevalent in the 90s.

Jane Cuevas explores her struggles with reconnecting with the innocent look at life she used to have, prominently during Sunday breakfasts with her family. This she brings to life through her use of bold colors, and lineated forms, often incorporating women and floral elements.

Rymnd Gev gives us a glimpse of his childhood through his creative use of vintage toys. From toy soldier figurines, teks, pogs, jolen, and jackstones among others, Rymond gives us a trip down memory lane through his mechanical art that alludes to popular culture.

As the 90s showed us, new beginnings can be daunting to take, and changes can be tough. Sometimes, it is easier to just look back at those sunny Sunday breakfasts, when the television blared in the background as your favorite cartoon characters played around the screen.

But if the 90s taught us anything, it’s that changes can be good, too. This exhibit shows us exactly that. The innovations that made the 90s filled with these blissful, innocent memories, captured in bold colors, and familiar characters. What once was just Sunday Breakfast becomes cherished memories— and in this case, beautiful artworks that take us back in time.

Words by Andy Avila

SUNDAY BREAKFAST is on view from May 1, 2021 – May 22, 2021.