FOUR renowned sculptors, including two Thomasians, joined forces to present a series of diverse works featured in the “Raising the Bar” exhibition at the Manila Clock Tower Museum.
The exhibit, part of the museum’s events for National Arts Month in February, showcased the works of the late National Artist Abdulmari Imao, his son Toym Imao, and Thomasian sculptors Ramon Orlina and Richard Buxani.
Orlina, a graduate of the defunct College of Architecture and Fine Arts, said the exhibit represented how artists must “step upwards” and “raise their level” of expertise.
He also said he was “raising the bar” for his two children, who were also practicing glass sculpture.
Buxani said the exhibit showed how artists must stay true to their craft and not be easily swayed by trends and fads.
“We try to be as original in our reiterations. We do not follow trends. In fact, as an experienced artist, you should be the one to dictate where your career should go,” he told the Varsitarian.
Buxani exhibited brass and copper tree sculptures of different sizes at the Manila Clock Tower Museum, which he said represented his growth and tenacity as an artist.
“The basic message here is resilience–[just like] how a tree is always resilient to weather…in a person’s life, that’s how we should be as well,” the architecture alumnus said.
Buxani explained that he had to cut each part of the trees, including every leaf, from brass sheets and carve them using welding torches.
“Mahirap ‘yung process, pero enjoy ako,” Buxani said.
Among Buxani’s copper and brass works on exhibit were the 27×28.5×26-in. “Wise Man,” and the 29x31x25-in. “Weightless,” which both depict large, bent trees akin to bonsai.
Orlina, dubbed the “Father of Philippine Glass Sculpture,” featured his signature multi-colored glass sculptures, including a 61x26x26-cm. work titled, “Melting Ice – No to Climate Change,” which closely resembles a melting ice glacier.
Also on display was the 30x59x23-cm. carved green glass sculpture with sharp edges titled, “Grandeur of Zambales Mountains.”
Multi-media artist Toym Imao featured his various abstract wood and copper sculptures, including his “Mother and Child” series and mythology-inspired pieces, such as the 44x11x13 “Sarimanok,” and the 44.5x12x34 “Sarifish.”
Several paintings and sculptures made by his late father were also put on exhibit.
“Raising the Bar” was mounted alongside the “Spectrum” international art exhibit, which featured works from the Global Artists’ Creative Collaboration for Empowerment of California.
