Rachy Cuna embarks on an artistic journey

"Where in the world is Rachy Cuna?"

For the better part of the year, this was the question on the lips of every socialite worth her weight in diamonds. Social events were simply not the same without that unique Rachy touch.

The reason for Rachy’s self-imposed hibernation was recently revealed, when Rachy, in a flamboyant fashion only the likes of him could orchestrate, opened his first ever exhibit of paintings titled Journeast: Passage to Self-Discovery at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila. Needless to say, tout le Manille walked up the torch-lit steps of the Metropolitan Museum to lend support to their favorite special events guru.

Journeast: Passage to Self-Discovery is the culmination of a personal journey Rachy undertook to get in touch with his inner-self. His retreat from the scene enabled him to be attuned to that special part of his person.

Becoming part of, and responding to his own natural rhythms, Rachy was able to shift to painting, a new outlet for his creativity.

This new-found concern has yielded a plethora of works mirroring his new-found peace.

One of his guests put it: "Beautiful! These are the works of one whose mind has rested then found its true calling."

Rachy’s works are devoid of affectations. They are honest expressions of feelings which he does not hesitate to translate on canvas.

The works are reminiscent of Chinese calligraphy with spontaneous brush strokes in black, red, gray and gold strongly suggesting his current state of bliss.

The paintings come in varied sizes ranging from large-scale to the intimate, showing that as a painter, Rachy is not intimidated when confronted by space. Though rather austere, each canvas sufficiently breathes somber dignity.

A section of the exhibit depicting bamboo groves, brings to mind exquisite Chinese hand scrolls. The vertical format used is well-suited to the depiction of this grass that towers in most Asian landscapes. Canvases are placed side by side, suggesting a bamboo grove.

The setting for Rachy’s works is nothing less than ideal. The main exhibit area is a veritable meditation garden complete with pond and bamboo water fountains.

The same serene ambience is repeated in the adjoining exhibit area. This time, however, the effect is achieved through a series of glass jars arranged diagonally over a bed of moss, each containing an outsized leaf stalk.

Journeast: Passages to Self-Rediscovery is extended until Sept. 1 at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Complex, Roxas Blvd., Manila.

After its Manila run, the show moves to Beijing, China and New York, USA. It is presented in cooperation with the Association of Philippines-China Understanding.