Mylene Quito | In Full Bloom

Divergent worlds. The distinct experiences. Having woven all these together concluded an introspection within Mylene Quito ( b.19-). As self-taught painter, it came with both fire and ease. Remembrance is synonymous with her art. Some depicted her life journey as a mother and a daughter. Within her heart was where the grass grew. And here we are, looking in.

Les Belles Fleurs is evidence of Quito’s mastery of patterns and dance between sharp lines and billows. Her layering, which we also observe in the propagation of plants, signifies that growth is life. Quito’s transformation from realism to abstractionism underscores the evolution that was due. Quito is not one to sit still when the wanderlust calls. Even from afar, she will hear the blooming of flowers. Calla  ,Lilies, roses, tulips, poppies, and sunflowers are representations of the sacredness of the transmutation of personal tribulations that are unheard of by most. The colors yield to glorious epiphanies rather than succumb to sorrow. Certain times call for such to happen.

The artist digs deep. Into the earth, she does if she must, from once the grass sprung to the air. Mylene Quito has earned her place among the brave. She is fearless in art where swatches of varied motifs would appear to collide but does not. Instead, it lures one to the innermost space and the tiniest detail. Her mother was once part-time seamstress overseas and would send Mylene and her siblings some clothes with colorful patterns. Having done so, Quito’s art reveals a life that was complex yet playful. It is as contemplative as embroidery. Likewise, depicted upon the petals is the tapestry of cultures—oriental western, which soothes an unbearable longing from far away. Perhaps to be realized is that home could be anywhere. Once again, from where she stood, Mylene Quito dug into the earth, deeper this time, as life would call for her to do.

L’amour Parfait (Perfect Love) , Bonheur (Happiness), and Les Fleurs D’espoir (Flowers of Hope) Are collective prayers like the others. The black backdrop from where the colorful flower sprung tells of the duality of this world. Told was that is from suffering—the very dark days, that we earn the opportunity to gain Enlightenment, from which there is little reason to identify with suffering or its opposite. However, stories don’t end. The artist will again walk. And it is with courage that she endures.

Mylene Quito has been painting since she was 7 years old. She has participated in collaboration and art exchanges, such as the Art Collaboration between the Philippines and Malaysia (Malaysia 2018), the Synergism Art Exchange Program: Philippine and Malaysia Collaboration ( Manila and Malaysia 2019), Art Vogue D’Nation ( China 2019), Peace and Unity Thru Art Exhibition (Japan 2019), and the Intercultural Exhibition between the Philippines, Malaysia, and Singapore ( Malaysia 2020). She was also part of the Freedom and Love Manila 14 National Art Exhibition and Symposium held at the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Museum in Manila in 2019.