" Christmas Treasures "
December 9, 2009 - January 20, 2009

Galleria Duemila presents Christmas Treasures A Special Collection From The Masters of Yesterday and Great Works of Today + A Collection of Modern Jewellery Designed by L’Obelisk Crafted by KETUT Master Silversmith of Java, Indonesia.  Revealing the most enduring artworks, the exhibition is a rich fusion of the most beautiful creations from the old masters and the contemporary ones. The coming together of priceless jewellery and art pieces make for the cultural magnificence of the show thus dubbed Christmas Treasures.

Only the finest from the most admired and respected artists are showcased as their evocative works played a crucial role in stimulating and promoting modern art in the Philippines. One could only marvel at how adventurously far these locally and internationally acclaimed artists carried the realm of the modern arts of the country.

 Fernando Amorsolo, portrayed the burst of life and activity using light at its utmost brilliance. Fernando Zobel, setting aside the use of color, thinking it superfluous, ventured into the dark and exacting black strokes on a white background. Hernando Ruiz ‘H.R.’ Ocampo’s rich abstraction and stylization is alluded in his masses of amoeba-like projections which seemed to quiver and breathe on canvas. Vicente Manansala, the master in images of transparent and delicate tones renders so much personality and elegance in his watercolor painting. Nena Saguil’s signature works depict a mystical ambiance as her orbs, spheres, and circles inspire a likeness to the cosmos with her instinctive creative process. Mauro ‘Malang’ Santos’s multihued watercolor abstraction is of his fascination with the shanties in aerial view. Jose Joya’s pen and ink on paper demonstrates his technical graphic artistry. Arturo Luz’s linear works are at their most playful, his geometric abstracts poses order and modishness. Leopoldo ‘Lee’ Aguinaldo austere abstraction is in minimalist linear forms of pastel shades. Romeo Tabuena’s representation of a timeless Philippine landscape, resembling a Chinese traditional painting, seizes the artist’s memory of the home he once belonged to. Jerry Elizalde-Navarro captures an enthusiastic moment of a family bonding and romancing with nature in the spirit of his Balinese inspired paintings.

 Maria Cruz, a deeply accomplished artist, manifests the essence of worth and value in her creative process. Roberto M.A. Robles reveals a poetic conversation, a Zen-like attribution to his piece. Junyee’s art engages scrutiny and wonder in his out of the ordinary use of soot on board. Tony Twigg weaves a unique style and sophistication in his timber constructions. Duddley Diaz takes on the distinct language of religion, communicating to the soul in marble. Gus Albor’s aesthetic utilizes the essence of space, like the commas in poems, speaking in a beautiful silence. Lao Lianben’s art springs from the quintessence of words, their meanings made manifest in the most abstract elucidation.

 Exquisite jewellery designed by L’Obelisk, exclusively crafted by KETUT, a master silversmith of Java, Indonesia are also on display. The embellishments of precious stones such as obsidian, amethyst, topaz, aquamarine, turquoise, peridot, ruby, quartz, and pearls on the silver accessories are believed to emit psychic and seductive power. Wearing the accessories made of ting rattan from the vines of a holy tree are believed to make the inhabitants of Java live longer. These intricately crafted sterling silver made into a beautiful collection of rings, bracelets, cufflinks, earrings, chokers, and necklaces will dazzle you.

 “Christmas Treasures” will run from December 9 until January 20, 2010. We look forward to seeing everyone at this unforgettable exhibition. For more information, please contact, Ms. Catherine Huit of Galleria Duemila through Tel. No. (+632) 831-9990 or Telefax (+632) 8339815, e-mail: duemila@mydestiny.net