Social Network – Elmer Borlongan

Acrylic on Canvas
6 ft H x 10 ft W

Elmer Borlongan’s Social Network critiques modern life by showing people physically together but emotionally distant, each absorbed in their phones. He paints elongated figures in muted tones to highlight their disconnection. Using irony and visual tension, Borlongan exposes how technology, instead of uniting us, often isolates us. He invites viewers to reflect on how digital habits reshape real-world relationships.

About the Artist:

Elmer Borlongan (b. 1967, Manila) is a leading Filipino painter known for his figurative expressionism. He paints elongated, distorted figures that capture the struggles, dignity, and resilience of everyday Filipinos. Trained at UP Diliman, he joined activist art groups like Salingpusa and Sanggawa. He often portrays workers, children, and ordinary people in emotionally charged settings. Borlongan’s restrained yet powerful style blends social commentary with personal expression. His work continues to shape Philippine contemporary art and connect with global audiences.