The month of March is also known as the National Women’s Month, and for the latest installation of Conrad Manila’s “Of Art and Wine” series, nine accomplished female artists came together to showcase 28 exquisite artworks that highlight women’s contribution to the arts in the exhibit “Breaking the Glass Canvas”.
The exhibit, currently on display at Conrad Manila’s Gallery C, brings together artists such as Lydia Velasco, Anita Del Rosario, Addie Cukingnan, Flor Baradi, Meneline Wong, Lara Latosa, Celeste Lecaro, Helena Alegre, and Irish Galon. Each artist created works that revolved around what it resilience and triumph that women experience in their careers.
Latosa said that “In pursuing art or any endeavor, genuine passion meant to be an empowered woman, focusing on the countless stories of becomes your unwavering source of motivation. With passion as your guide, neither money nor fame will hinder the joy you find in your craft.” Her works echo this sentiment as they feature the flows of water, juxtaposing the calm and serene against the wild and energetic.
Meanwhile, Wong’s pieces are all about resilience. The Strength in Beauty series shows that even through life’s challenges that may warp and crumple a person, there is a beauty to be found in surpassing the challenges even if we may be broken and reforged along the way.
Cukingnan’s decades immersed in the arts gives her an insight which has been molded by experience. Her Ganito Kami Ngayon series shows women wearing the traditional baro’t saya while wielding modern, more masculine tools, showing gender is not a factor in today’s modern society.
Alegre, a jewelry artist draws inspiration from Filipino cultural heritage to create pieces that are ornate and distinctively feminine. Meanwhile, Baradi’s works embrace the uniqueness of every woman in her surrealistic works. Lecaroz’s pieces pay homage to the maestro Juan Luna but with a distinct feminine flair.
Galon, another surrealist artist, draws viewers into her pink-hued musings with “Deep Slumber and Home” while the gentle curves of Del Rosario’s sculptures exude a gentle femininity that belies a story of strength and grace. Finally, Velasco’s pieces echo themes of motherhood and the female human experience.
From bold and vibrant abstract paintings to intricate sculptures, the exhibition aims to inspire future generations of artists, encouraging them to pursue their passions. “We invite all patrons to embark on a journey of discovery and empowerment as they explore the multifaceted tapestry of artistic expression,” exhibiting artist and co-curator Latosa shared.
