A human woman and a tikbalang locked in an embrace beneath a sunshower — rain and light entwined. A union both tender and untamed, echoing the old belief that when sunlight pierces falling rain, a tikbalang weds. This marriage of mortal and mythic becomes a symbol of opposites reconciled: fragility and wildness, sorrow and joy, the Apollonian and the Dionysian. It is love as fate — an embrace that dissolves the boundaries between worlds.

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About the Artist:

Krishnamurti Villanueva, also known as Cris Villanueva, is a Filipino artist born in Baliuag, Bulacan, whose talent was shaped by his family lines and honed through art courses and extensive travels across Europe, often incorporating trinkets from his trips as inspiration. His style has evolved into Figurative Surrealism, where his use of concurrent narratives and visually rich imagery often reflects his political stances and unique perspectives on specific issues. Through his artworks, which use acrylic or oil mediums, he explores the interplay between beauty and sorrow, pain and pleasure, drawing attention to bittersweet events and the significance of sentimentality. His work is appreciated for its complexity, uniqueness, and yearning, creating an immersive experience for the viewer. Throughout his career, Villanueva has participated in numerous group exhibitions nationwide.