Rodolfo Gan Does “Prism II” Solo Exhibit

I am familiar with the style because I used to experiment with architectural shapes and elements when I made art in High School and College. I didn't really do well and concentrated on pressing keys for work but have always become fascinated with this medium for a long time, but here's a bit of good news for people who live and breathe this style. You are in for a treat because the world-renowned Rodolfo Gan has just started doing his second solo art exhibition called Prism 2 at the Upstairs Gallery of Finale Art File, La Fuerza Compound, Makati City.

It is a collection of 11 paintings that is done in cubism and geometrism. Known for his Airbrush method, his square abstract paintings show mostly these geometric lines and forms. He quirps "I am inspired by masters like Fernando Zobel (saw one in Seda Hotel), Lee Aguinaldo, and Roberto Chabet who is considered the father of conceptual art in the country." He graduated from the University of Sto. Tomas with a degree in Fine Arts, major in Advertising. Oftenly, they use bold colors but Gan’s works are unique as he stays in earth tones. Chabet encouraged and inspired Gan to be an artist. In the 70's, Gan won local and national art competitions and got his work exhibited at the Cultural Center of the Philippines where he had his first solo exhibit via the Luz Gallery in 72. He was dubbed as one of the CCP's Thirteen Artists and took part in exhibitions here and abroad, including the 7th Paris Biennale and the ASEAN collection exhibitions in Israel, Jakarta and Hong Kong. The family’s printing business though still was the priority for Gan. After a long hiatus, he came back with Prism in 2014.

He adds "My paintings have always been made to challenge the person looking at it, to look at them the way he or she chooses to.” So make sure you do visit his exhibit until February 11, 2019 at the Upstairs Gallery of Finale Art File, La Fuerza Compound in Makati City.

An Afternoon with artist KC Nevada

I was invited to a small luncheon a couple of days ago to get to know a very prolific artist named KC Nevada. She's currently based in Manila but spent years doing her thing in Baguio City. She also did her solo show up north and had a couple of international artists perform during that stint and felt everything was just falling in place, as if fate had a  plan for her. She's been through hard times, some really tough moments which I think has further pushed her and affinity to art. Now she's planning another exhibit, still in the works but I've seen some of it already displayed on her back while we were chatting over coffee.

She's used different mediums, but most of her work involve acrylic, better at texture than oil which I just found out can make you sick. Her inspiration is driven by emotion, by things she's experienced and sometimes what she imagines at the time she's making her art work. I like her use of colors, not too bright, just enough to tell a story. It's mostly surrealism, you'll be captivated by her work especially "The Cat" which she has been praised for a couple of times, me included. What I even like about her more is how she shares her passion, teaching kids and high school teens about art, through workshops, honing talents that are innate, divine.

I could see she's gotten what art does, it takes your mind off things and she has admitted it did help her during the toughest times. Here's a short interview we did outside the venue so you get to know her even more. 

I suggest you take time to get to know her and her artwork through her social media channels below. It was a pleasure to interview KC! I'd be glad to see your future artworks!

For more information about her work:

KC Nevada

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Quezon Is Home

This August marks another year to celebrate "Buwan ng Wika", celebrating the country's national language. Did you know that this was put into law during the time of Manuel Quezon? We actually owe a lot to this man and obviously for the great things he's done for the country including our independence from the US. 

Just this morning, I was among the few people invited to the unveiling of this gorgeous Fernando Amorsolo painting of Manuel Quezon at the Manuel L. Quezon University Campus in Quezon City. That might be a mouthful, but it's an honor bestowed a great man and rightfully so or we all wouldn't be where we are today without him. 

The event was graced by MLQU Executives, Directors, officials, and former Speaker of the House Sonny Belmonte. He's my congressman too and I've been a QC boy all my life. It just is different when you see the actual painting, it's like taking something that is rightfully supposed to be here. 

A man that has been honored here and around the world, his body lies in the Quezon Memorial Shrine, but his legacy continues. Bringing home this paintig of the great man to the MLQU Graduate School was just the rightful thing to do. MLQU just transferred this from Manila Campus, to it's new home in Quezon City. I think they are transferring everything here in a few years time. It's an offshoot of MLQU's success and they have the student population has doubled this year. Improvements are also being felt in professional schools, graduate school this semester. This is a mark of their cooperation with various institutions and industries.

Bloomberg has also been offering business courses, local and international business programs, all competency based and will in the end have Bloomberg certificates upon finishing the course. They have been active in doing these for professionals, a lot of companies do this with Bloomberg terminals and they have signed an agreement with MLQU the Bloomberg laboratories open to all that wishes to enhance their qualifications now that people are competing with other countries.

They see the need to compete with that. They will have equivalency programs too. MLQU will offer these programs with international qualifications, getting all these degrees in 4-5 years. They are planning to do this with the thought of being the Harvard of Asia. So for those looking for further studies, they're just here at MLQU beside the MRT Station in Kamuning QC. This is in cooperation with East West Educational Specialists. This is good news. They also have real estate management certifications soon as they partnered with CREBA. MLQU will be tapping Engineering, Academe and everything else soon and not just concentrating in Law which is their primary course. The drive to get their students quality and relevant education. 

They are just starting. 

KUMAGCOW

Fresh Blogs Fast

Auctioneer Group Harringtons' Lifestyle Auction

I've been in tons of expo's and art events that I've probably seen them all. With the turnout of thousands I'm sure there's always someone and somebody that hoards pieces because they usually run out of the ones I like in seconds. Deals don't come often but I think there's big news about Harringtons that would definitely make enthusiasts rush to Rockwell Tent in Rockwell Drive in Makati. It's going to happen this April 6, that's a Sunday from 10AM to 7PM in the evening.

A preview will also happen on April 5, Saturday from 10AM to 7PM so if you want to get a glimpse of what they have in store, you might want to go there early. I heard they are coming out with paintings by top Filipino artists, sculptures, art installations, furniture, luxury cars and a lot more more. For sure there will be a wide assortment of junkets and trinkets to find on this weekend!

Here are some really good ones that have been confirmed to be at stake in the auction

This is Jewelry designed by the one and only Anita Del Rosario. It's beautiful!

This is an artwork by famed Filipino artist Arturo Luz. He's pretty well known around the world and if you get this piece, you'll be part of the few who will get to own one. Will you let this slip your collection?

Shiny, lustrous and gorgeous chandeliers by designer Gabby Barredo. Everything is going to be priced reasonable because this is their first salvo. So what are you waiting for? If you are interested to bid, you may register on both dates right on the venue... or contact HMR at 5486900 local 6962 for more details. Oh wait, here's one more!

A medical doctor made this, Toribio Herrera. He was featured by a Harvard Phd holder Rodolfo Paras-Perez which made his artwork known internationally. Will you let this piece escape your hands? Then do the right thing and check it out during the viewing, it'll be the best advice you'll ever get from me as an art enthusiast! I think the last time I checked I have taste.  :)

Check this video out!



See you there!

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Harringtons Lifestyle Auction

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Wyeth Nutrition x Synergia Foundation; Nurture, Inspire and Give!

I am stoked to tell you about the things I did the last week and this one's touched my heart in so many ways. You know there are private corporations that help government agencies and NGO's too. I arrived at Greenbelt 5 and found these cute kids from local Bagong Tanyag Elementary school. As a first salvo, they turned these kids into superstars by having them sing in a chorus! It was atrocious! It was very cute!

Wyeth Nutrition and Synergia Foundation launched Nurture.Inspire.Give. It's a huge campaign for the benefit of underprivileged youth. These institutions believe that this simple but ingenious way will make sure that they would be able to provide thousands of notebooks to less fortunate kids throughout the country.

The notebooks are actually also made with artwork done by kids themselves. Allie Arroyo, Antonio Tordesilias and Marco Flores. These kids are all accomplished in the field and they are sharing these designs to promote literacy, have them be creative and value education as a whole. It's a noble gesture and Richard Arboleda - Wyeth Philippines' Director of Communications says "A simple notebook can represent someone's canvas for the future." I totally agree!

This event wasn't just about pretty pictures or paintings. It's all about helping these kids get a better future. Now how do you get to help? That's easy! Any purchase of Aqiva (900g), Progress Pre-school Gold (900g and 1.6Kg), Bonakid Choco Boost (800g), Bonakid Pre-schoool (900g, 1.2Kg and 1.6Kg), Enercal Plus (900g) or ProMama (900g) will get you a limited edition notebook for yourself and a scratch card with it. It's got a promo code which you can send through SMS so a child would be able to receive his/her own notebook and you winning something too. If 50,000 people joined, that would mean 50,000 notebooks for these kids too. You might also win 20K worth of GC's or gift packs worth 5K to 50 raffle winners on July 17 and August 16 which means 100 in total will be given away. Isn't that cool? Private companies, NGO's and government agencies are making sure that they will be able to nurture generation after generations of Filipinos nationwide!

For more information about this promo

Please visit their website

http://www.wyeth.com.ph

Ciao!

Art, Love and Passion

I've learned to appreciate art at a very young age not because I have relatives in the industry but because I was fascinated with all things concerned with it. I always wanted our excursions to include visits to reputable museums here and around the metro. Living in a third world country would definitely be one of the few things that could inspire you or force yourself and your mind off things. Making something beautiful out of the impoverished situation is the ideal way of fixing it. I don't have that much money even up to this day to afford such pieces and only get the next best thing if I wanted one for our home. Take a look at this image for example; don't you just feel the passion and emotion on the artwork? That is one of the few things that give me a natural high. It inspires me to say the least. I want to make one myself too but maybe in a different medium like photography. Giclee Fine Art Prints would be one of the few things I'd like to find so I can get them displayed on my home. That's going to be a great thing to have soon!

The love I have for works of art and the times when I need inspiration dictates what particular piece I get interested in. I almost ransacked the museums here in the metro and if that wasn't too bad; to do in a single whim when nobody's looking or maybe get what I need for my own home. I get frustrated each day looking at them but I know pretty soon I'll have these in my hands. What about you? Have you considered getting artworks for your own home?! What particular pieces do you adore? Do you have artists in mind?

All Out War Against Termites

My house stands 2 floors each about 12 feet high. This is normal considering how big and tall we are in the family. We got our house painted because my brother was coming back from Ireland and we wouldn’t want for him to see our house not taken cared of. We had some parts of the house identified as problem areas. Much of the material used to build the house is wood on the upper floor. Even the walls were of the same material because that was normal when it was renovated in the late 60’s or 70’s.

We did not have time to deal with that then but parts of the roof were already falling off because water was already seeping through and termites were worsening the wood rots. We usually change just small parts when we repair them back then. This time the repairs called for a major overhaul because the framework itself was getting chewed by critters and termites. We used anti termite chemicals back then but I guess they pretty much have worn off. Rain water also made things worse. Before we could paint the house, we would need to deal with this major construction job. I hated the part that we were only expecting a few thousand pesos on repairs but it turned out to be an expensive one because of that. I researched quite a bit on http://www.killthetermites.com/ so we wouldn’t have to go through with these problems in the future. They have reference to different types of treatments so we don’t end up doing the same thing all over again. We even used materials for the house that not only is water resistant but termite resistant as well. Cleaning the place was also arduous because I even got bit by a single termite when rummaging through the wood we took off. That was really painful and I endured that for a few days. We then made arrangements so we can use termite tenting as security for those unaffected areas at home. I hope that would be the end of it. I don’t want that to happen again. Now my house looks green and refreshing. Do you have problems like I do? Visit the site and you’ll like it too.