RENOWNED sculptor Ramon Orlina’s brilliance shines through in his classy and elegant glass and crystal exhibit at the Powerplant Mall in Makati from June 12 to 24.
Titled Brilliance, the one-man exhibit is a tribute to the celebration of the Philippine Independence, featuring 32 dazzling pieces made of his signature green Asahi glass, alongside a new set of crystal pieces in hues of green, amber, and azure.
Orlina said the exhibit was dubbed “brilliance” because of his use of multi-colored crystal in his glass abstractions.
“As an artist, you have to develop, you have to keep on moving and elevating yourself to higher art,” he said.
“Subli,” carved in peach amber crystal, portrays a woman performing the Philippine folk dance. On the other hand, a corrugated azure blue crystal, “Samahan sa Pagkakaisa,” that spirals toward one side evokes a feeling of strength.
Depicting perseverance towards freedom, “Steps to Liberty” and “Pagpanik sa Tunay na Kalayaan” blended vertical and horizontal lines, creating a ladder in smooth peach amber crystal and clear green glass finish.
“Paglaya,” set in blue green glass, shows a dove outstretching its wings in flight. “Eager Anticipation” is a nude and pregnant woman looking up to the heavens, her hair cascading down in amber brilliance.
A mother lovingly holds her child on her lap in the carved moss green glass called “Beauty of Mother’s Love.”
Several other pieces also rendered a mother-and-child union, suggesting the sculptor’s admiration for motherhood.
Pieces portraying fatherhood were also displayed. “Close to Father” shows a father locking in embrace with his little daughter. Likewise, “Daddy’s Girl” renders half profile of a father and his child in each other’s arms.
Roses and leaves intertwine in “Full Blossoms” and “Means I Love You.” With the blooms featuring a smooth finish and leaves in rougher texture, the pieces were set in peach amber crystal and moss green glass, respectively.
Orlina, who finished Architecture in UST, is also the man behind the University’s QuattroMondial Monument at the Quadricentennial Park. with reports from Christopher B. Enriquez
