Collection: Furever Mews

𝐌𝐫. 𝐀𝐛𝐞 𝐎𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐚 have pet cats who serve as the models in this series, juxtaposed against the painting backgrounds of the chosen creatives to whom he paid homage. The cats

portrayed are: Homberin, or Homhom (named after his niece’s pronunciation of Wolverine from X-Men); Lychee, or Layki (named after the fruit); and Mogur, also called Nandor (named after one of the vampires in the film and TV series What We Do in the Shadows).

The artists honored in this exhibition include the late National Artists Ang Kiukok and Abdul Mari Imao, as well as Pablo Picasso, Franz Marc, Wassily Kandinsky, Sir Frederic Leighton, Vincent van Gogh, Frida Kahlo, Edvard Munch, Andy Warhol, Shannah Orencio, Miimaaaw, Erwin Leaño, Dean Toym Leon Imao, and Juan Luna.

Nature is like cats and artists. This solo exhibition, titled Furever Mews, is not merely a wordplay but a statement on the significant role and parallel nature of cats in the lives of creative people across different periods and timelines.

As an artist known for exploring the intricate relationship between humanity and nature through evocative, scenic, material-based paintings, 𝐌𝐫. 𝐀𝐛𝐞 see nature as a metaphor for both cats and artists, for both are immovable and unpredictable.

The heart of a dedicated and passionate artist—who spends countless hours honing their craft and making their works distinct—is both a curse and a gift. They are steadfast yet mercurial, much like cats, whose seemingly carefree or worrisome attitudes conceal a deeper attentiveness. Though they may appear aloof, nonchalant, or indifferent, they are in fact silently observing. They do care—though not always in overt ways. Their patience in perfecting their skills and the quiet persistence with which they complete their works are clear manifestations of this devotion.

In this sense, the attributes of cats can be likened to those of creative people. They may appear timid, eccentric, kind, snobbish, or vocal—qualities that are often contradictory—yet such contradictions are simply part of their nature. Just as a cat may sleep all day only to become highly active at night, artists too may seem withdrawn, only to suddenly awaken with bursts of energy and creativity.

Similarly, an artist might appear detached or indifferent, but through silence and contemplation—much like a cat in slumber—they quietly process their thoughts. In this state, they brainstorm, even dream, until the moment of decision arrives, when they transcend into ‘beasts,’ overflowing with energy and creativity to execute their next piece. In Tagalog, the word mabangis translates to ‘beast’ and is often associated with negative qualities such as viciousness, ferocity, or savagery. However, Filipinos penchant to play with language, and in this context mabangis is reclaimed as a term of admiration—signifying intensity, brilliance, and mastery.

These are the very attributes embodied by the artists to whom this exhibition pays homage. From this perspective, he believe that artists should be judged more objectively—based on the merits of their skill, originality, and the thought-provoking and emotional impact of their works—rather than on their personalities. While 𝐌𝐫. 𝐀𝐛𝐞 may not have known all of them personally on a deeper level, he admire their paintings

deeply. As a cat person, he feel a certain kinship with them, a quiet connection that emerges simply by gazing at their works.

Lastly, the incorporation of up-cycled, emptied paint tubes—arranged in crown-like forms—together with light orbs symbolizing life-force, is not merely a commentary on materiality or conservation. Rather, these elements affirm that felines have been, and will continue to be, enduring muses for countless creatives throughout history,

myself included.