Love, women, and altruism are the running themes of artist Anita del Rosario’s latest works in HULMA, a group exhibit of Filipino sculptors at White Walls Gallery that opened on June 11, Philippine Independence Day weekend, and will run until June 13.
HULMA features the works of three sculptors, including young artist Enon de Belen, and fashion designer-artist Jef Albea. Part of the proceeds of this exhibit will benefit the ABS-CBN Foundation to help those who were affected by Super Typhoon Odette that devastated many of the country’s regions late last year.
The fundraising aspect of the exhibit, in a way, represents the altruistic side of love; but Del Rosario, who is as soft-spoken and unassuming as her works are dramatic and bold, emphasizes that there are many types of love. “There is romantic love, motherly love, self-love, and above all, spiritual love,” the artist says. “Everybody is seeking love; love is enough for one to live.”
All these types of love are seen in Del Rosario’s works for HULMA, composed of 14 of the artist’s sculptures in mixed media, including brass and copper, wood, resin, and mother-of-pearl.
In her work “The Way We Are”, two figures in blue and pink—lovers—are caught up in the embrace of a sliver of woven copper. In “Mother and Child 1”, the stylized face of a mother bends over to plant a loving kiss on the infant she is cradling. In “Nude Woman”, the unrestrained sensuality and fullness of the curves of this figure hint at feminine confidence and self-love. And in “Redeemer Jr.”, the image of Christ, inlaid with glowing mother-of-pearl, exudes a calmness for those seeking spiritual comfort.
Del Rosario, who has more than 50 years of experience in fine jewelry-making, calls her methods of creating sculpture, much in the same way she describes her jewelry, as a series of “twists and folds.” She explains, “Everything is either twisted or folded; I get the softness in hard material by doing this; brass is folded upwards, copper wire twisted and intertwined…in other countries, machines produce it; but here, we do it by hand!”
The seasoned sculptor, who was named one of the top 100 Women Artists by the Cultural Center of the Philippines in 2015, and who was feted last April by the UST Alumni Association as one of the Distinguished Thomasians at ArtistSpace in Ayala Museum, admits that she never stopped making art, even during the pandemic. “Whatever I think of, if it’s in my head, I will put it out there,” she says. “I will always keep on creating.” Fellow University of Santo Tomas alumni Justin “Tiny” Nuyda, Raul Isidro, and Ramon Orlina were also honored at the same event.
HULMA is presented by Art House, and can be viewed at White Walls Gallery, Warehouse 12A, La Fuerza Plaza, 2241 Chino Roces Ave., Makati City from June 11 (3pm-7pm) to June 12 and 13 (10am-7pm).
