Museo Ng Sining

The Lion King

*image from manilascope.com

*picture from news.abs-cbn.com

Gabriela Silang

Majestic Beauty

I received a Daphne Brissonet glass coaster set for Christmas, and the intricate detail was a delight to look at.  Immediately, I took to the internet to look for the artwork of this Canadian artist, and found hundreds of botanical renditions, done in cool and relaxing colors.  I understand that she is self-taught, which bespeaks of enormous talent.  Her immediate subject matter, peacocks, bring me back to happy childhood memories; Gwammy had peacock feathers decorating our interiors at home.  I remember when I first saw a peacock unfurl his feathers, I viewed the strut with awe; it was a dance to attract his mate and I told myself, yes, it was majestic!  I'm very happy about the coasters, a symbol of purity and immortality right inside our home.

The Fisherman

As I was going down the escalator of Tower One, I noticed that the painting hanging at the lobby was "The Fisherman" of Ang Kiukok (1961) from the Ayala Museum Collection.  I love paintings about fishing harvests; to me they signify abundance and man's blessings from the bounties of nature.  Very apt for the lobby of the building that houses the Philippine Stock Exchange!

Aguilar Alcuaz Function Rooms

I understand that the Manila Pavilion Hotel (formerly the Manila Hilton) opened some function rooms named in honor of Federico Aguilar Alcuaz, the noted painter who lived in the hotel for a number of years.  I used to see him pretty often at the Cafe Coquilla and he'd always have that playful grin on his face.  He was always playing practical jokes; one time he was already inside the elevator car that I was about to enter, and he asked me "Going down?" while pointing his finger upwards!  I was momentarily disoriented, and we couldn't help but laugh all the way to the ground floor.  You can see some of his landscape murals at the foyer, a fitting tribute to the artist.

Amorsolo

Dezia One Man Show

I like the patterns so much!  Go take a look, the exhibit is up and running until February 18 at the Ayala Museum in the Greenbelt area.  Beautiful!

Audrey Hepburn

"How shall I sum up my life?  I think I've been particularly lucky." she says.  The bigger truth is that we are the lucky ones, having had the pleasure of watching her performances in Roman Holiday, Sabrina, Breakfast at Tiffany's, and My Fair Lady, among others.

* photo from the movie Roman Holiday, via Wikipedia

Audrey Hepburn is almost universally regarded as the most naturally beautiful woman of all time, and I have been madly in love with this Hollywood screen icon since I can remember.

* photo from Wikipedia

Right after our ramen dinner at Roku, Korina showed me her sketch of Audrey Hepburn (top picture), and memories of my childhood longing just came back.  In torrents.  I think the sketch is so wonderfully done, specially considering that Korina has no training whatsoever in art, and that this is one of her first attempts in creating her portfolio.  Korina will do wonders in art, I can see.  She not only draws well, but also chooses the most wonderful of subjects! Look at the eyes of Audrey Hepburn--absolutely enchanting!  I am in love all over again!

* with her then husband, Mel Ferrer, on the set of War and Peace, 1954, via Wikipedia

Galeria Immanuel

There's a quaint little art gallery at the corner of Dela Rosa and Esteban St. in Legaspi Village called Galeria Immanuel.  I dropped by a couple of weeks ago to view their paintings, and was pleasantly thrilled to find a couple of beautiful pieces done by Antonio Ko and by Tam Austria, which were, unfortunately, not for sale.  The interesting ones are always kept on hand by the gallery owners!  Karen, the curator, was very well versed in the collection, and she was gracious enough to suggest some alternatives--paintings of Mario Parial and Antonio Alcoseba, which I also liked.  I'll probably be back when I have time!

Equilibrium

 

EQUILIBRIUM

(Dezia)

 

Natalie was gracious enough to hold it for me.  After the usual due diligence, Vicky approved my request for a purchase order.  The paperwork took a few weeks to sort through, but given the circumstance, the bureaucratic wait was well worth it.

Such a mix of bright colors!  A wonderful fusion of balance and imbalance.  Mountain peaks to climb, valleys to rest in.  Intricate detail, a tapestry of sorts.  Sunset in the dessert, the Grand Canyon or Ayers Rock?  A bubble bath.  A family of four.  The Magi bearing gifts.  Stalagmites dressed up in patches.  Flowing rivers.  Waterfalls.  Population density.  M-class planet bearing primitive life forms.

What do you see?

Seb Chua

I have this sudden urge to brag about the art pieces made by my good friend.  Seb Chua is a mainstay at the Art Asia Gallery in SM Megamall, and his sculptures come in brass, marble and bronze.  Vicky and I took to liking some of his work and we picked up a few pieces from his earlier collections.  Seb is an architect by profession, but as you can guess, his passion is in his art.  Sorry, don't remember the artwork titles, but I just love these two ladies!

Botong Francisco

I was quite lucky to visit the District Mall when a travelling showcase of Botong Francisco prints were on display.  I love the works of the old masters--Botong Francisco was the muralist from Angono, Rizal, and if I remember correctly, his works adorn the ceilings of several rooms in the Manila City Hall.  Some of my favorites include the mother and son going against the wind (above), a couple doing a folk dance (below) and another couple in formal attire (bottom). Beautiful, beautiful works of art!

The Olive Creek Gallery

I usually find myself roaming around Makati when I'm in between meetings, and this time, I spent a good hour visiting the Olive Creek Gallery over at Rada St. in Legaspi Village.  I had visited the gallery when it was newly opened, and I find it such a pleasure to rest my eyes upon beautiful artwork after long and tiring business negotiations.  Natalie, the beautiful and charming owner knows her stuff and probably walks the tightrope between being a gallery owner and a collector herself. She has a modest variety of artworks, a Ma Lang, a few works of Luz and Alegre, some Orlina and Cacnio pieces, but the delight to me were the works of Dezia, an up and coming architect turned artist who dabbles in delightful colors, intricate designs, pleasing shapes and bright yet soulful subjects.  I really like his painting of the two trees separated by the sea--lovers so near yet so far apart, destined only to see, and not to touch.  I think this gentleman will go places, and the gallery will be known to be the sole source of his uplifting artwork!  

Salvador Dali

The visit to UOB Plaza gave me the opportunity to marvel at Salvador Dali's Homage to Sir Isaac Newton.  This Spanish artist is primarily known as a painter, but I recall reading somewhere that the he was also interested in mathematics and science.  The sculpture to the left is shown with a hole in the torso to (reportedly) signify an "open-heart" and another hole in the head to signify an "open-mind."  Truly fascinating, a philosophy for the benefit of mankind...

Research at Monastery

This artist's creation is a true joy to behold!  I was very lucky to walk past the Ayala Museum's Artist's Nook at the Greenbelt just when the watercolor series "Road to Silence" of Geneva-based artist Marissa Gonzalez was being displayed.  I stood there transfixed, just enjoying the wonderful works on jusi (yes, what we wear for Barong Tagalog).  So restful to the eyes, so relaxing, practically uplifting to the soul!

I immediately wanted the painting "Research at Monastery" which was done in 2007.  Unbelievable match, as the painting that I wanted was only 1 of 3 unsold pieces left!  It was meant for me, as simple as that!  The artwork was initially intended as wall hanging--free to flap around in the wind.  However, I requested that this be framed, bearing in mind that Pipay has a tendency to grab and play with all the artwork she can get her hands on.  Absolutely gorgeous, feeds my soul!

Ms. Marissa Q. Gonzalez
* Photo courtesy of the Philippine Star

Vicky and I had the chance to have a short discussion with the artist, who happens to be the granddaughter of the late President Quirino.  The amazing thing about her artwork is that watercolor on jusi has zero error tolerance!  Each stroke must be correct, and there are no pencil lines to frame the strokes.  A lot of people have asked me why I buy artwork on irregular media (e.g. banana stalk, and in this case, jusi) with no track record of pigment stability and longevity.  It's simple--I like looking at the presentation, it just makes me happy!  "Research at Monastery" is proudly mine, along with the accompanying serene feeling and visual delight.  Thank you, Ms. Gonzalez, for your contribution to my happiness!