Photographer and newly minted artist Erwin Canlas explores life and emotions in his debut exhibit, I Think I Need New Glasses
On the second floor of Comuna Makati, a breezy green haven for creatives, lies RiseSpace Art Gallery, owned and run by the Canlas family. On the day of our visit, it’s quiet and sunny. Erwin Canlas, with his signature mess of curls, stands as a dark yet serene figure at the center of the space, a stark contrast to the walls filled with his vibrant creations.
RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: Visual Artist Anna Bautista Paints Love Letters to Filipino Women
“I Think I Need New Glasses” has been warmly received by the art and fashion community, with notable figures like JJ Acuña and Mond Gutierrez snapping up his prints. Laurel even expressed interest in purchasing the colorful organza draping at the center of the room, but Erwin kindly informed him that it wasn’t for sale, as the artist had plans for the piece. Plus, as Erwin adds with a playful smile, “y’know, vibes.” He says this meekly, crinkling his eyes behind a pair of thick spectacles that, we assume, are in no need of replacing anytime soon.
At the start of his career, Canlas quickly became a favorite photographer for Philippine glossies. Easygoing, collaborative, and brimming with creativity, he secured covers and worked on several editorials and campaigns. His work has appeared in top publications like MEGA Magazine, Vogue Philippines, Nylon Manila, and for multiple local fashion and beauty brands. A great deal of technique went into Erwin’s work, and his easy rapport with subjects—whether they were superstars, models, or people unaccustomed to the camera—made each shoot enjoyable. At the height of his success, Erwin suddenly stopped, eventually scaling back his photography to focus on other pursuits. For a while, he took on corporate work and took fewer photography projects. A few years later, it wasn’t surprising when he turned to art, releasing a deeply personal collection of works. Coming from a family of artists—his father, Rene, is a well-known and highly regarded watercolor painter, and his sister, Isabella, recently sold out her first show—creativity runs in his blood.
The prints in I Think I Need New Glasses are the result of Erwin’s experimentation—colored papers cut and assembled, flowers shot up close with the lens out of focus. The smaller prints in particular evoke the work of James Turrell, though Canlas also cites fellow photographers Colin Dancel and Simon Te, as well as artists Andy Warhol and Mark Rothko for their influence, especially in their use of color. “For this body of work, I have to be honest, I can’t think of anyone in particular because I wanted to present the antithesis of my usual work. But I guess, too much looking at Rothko and Warhol’s use of color really pushed me to be bold with it,” he shares via email.
Interestingly, while photography is considered part of the visual arts, Erwin is careful to distinguish his photography work from this new collection and from the work of his father and sister. “My dad and sister are the real artists in the family. I can’t really paint or even draw. Aside from that, I’ve been known as a fashion and commercial photographer for the past ten years,” he says. “I’ve wanted to mount my own art exhibit because I don’t want to be just known as a photographer. I want to be like my dad and sister, who are creating and enjoying their art. I want to be known as an artist in my own right. This exhibit allows me to break away from my work as a fashion and commercial photographer.”
I Think I Need New Glasses takes viewers into the artist’s inner world, reflecting his emotional state during the period he created these works. While most of the pieces feature bright colors, a sense of melancholy pervades even the most vivid works, such as the series Stay Still, I’m Taking a Picture and Aurora (the latter born from a failed trek to witness the Northern Lights). The mood deepens in other pieces: a ghostly hand signaling for help in Not Waving But Drowning, and the black-and-white image Fragmented.
“It’s personal; it speaks to my voice as an artist and my technical experience as a photographer,” Erwin shares when asked about his mindset and process in creating the series. “I am alone as the creator on this one, but at the same time, I am with the people viewing it, as a whole.”
“The process taught me to just play and not be uptight. Ideas naturally flow, so you have to flow with them too. I shouldn’t close myself off to possibilities and ideas; rather, I should embrace them. Shooting allows me to open up to new experiences, techniques, and perspectives. I need to learn to have fun with it.”
As we say our goodbyes, Canlas mentions he’s already cooking up new ideas for his second series of works, a promising prospect based on his debut. In the light-filled warmth of RiseSpace Gallery, it’s clear that a new artist is in bloom.
“I Think I Need New Glasses” runs until February 20, 2025 in RiseSpace Art Gallery in Comuna Makati. For viewing or purchase after the date, you may contact the gallery through Instagram @risespaceartgallery or email [email protected].
