"Bulmaliza"
acrylic · 2024 65 views
Made by a human
Ely Mesa certifies having made this artwork by hand, with no AI-generated imagery.
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“Bulmaliza” is where three worlds collide — Bulma from Dragon Ball, Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, and Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night. In this acrylic work, Bulma takes the throne as the modern Mona Lisa. She sits in Lisa’s iconic pose, hands gracefully folded, her famous enigmatic smile reimagined with Bulma’s playful confidence and genius spark. Her blue hair glows against the canvas, a striking contrast to the Renaissance elegance she embodies. Behind her, the calm landscape of the original Mona Lisa dissolves into Van Gogh’s turbulent, swirling Starry Night. The sky moves — thick, emotional brushstrokes of midnight blues, cosmic yellows, and starlit spirals — as if her brilliant mind is literally lighting up the universe. Mesa Jr. brings together the mystery of da Vinci, the emotion of Van Gogh, and the bold spirit of Akira Toriyama. Bulma is not just a portrait anymore; she is a creator, a dreamer, a woman who looks at the stars and thinks about how to reach them. “Bulmaliza” is a tribute to intelligent women across time — from the muse who was painted, to the artist who painted the stars, to the heroine who builds the future. The Mona Lisa stopped smiling at the viewer. Now she’s looking at the stars. Exibited on BALAI MARIA INTRAMUROS MANILA 2025
Ely Mesa is a Filipino contemporary painter from Caloocan City, Philippines. Working primarily in acrylic on canvas, his practice is defined by a unique fusion of anime culture and iconic classical paintings. Known for his distinctive works “Bulmaliza” and “Sugar Scream,” Mesa Jr. reimagines familiar masterpieces through a modern, pop-culture lens. By blending the expressive energy of anime with the timeless composition of famous paintings, he creates vibrant, surreal narratives that are both nostalgic and fresh. “Bulmaliza” and “Sugar Scream” embody his signature style — bold colors, playful distortion, and layered symbolism. His paintings explore the sweetness and chaos of contemporary youth culture, where fantasy meets reality and tradition collides with modern identity. A Malabon-based artist, Mesa Jr. draws inspiration from everyday life, internet culture, and art history. His goal is to make classical art more relatable to a new generation while elevating anime aesthetics into fine art. Ely Mesa continues to develop his body of work, establishing himself as an emerging voice in the Philippine contemporary art scene who bridges the gap between high art and pop culture.
Erick Encinares
