Daniel de la Cruz’s ‘Silent Eloquence’ on view at Pinto Art Museum

MANILA, Philippines - Sculptor Daniel de la Cruz couldn’t help but wax philosophical about “Silent Eloquence,” his one-man exhibit that opened at the Pinto Art Museum in Antipolo, City yesterday. It is his most meaningful exhibit and his 13th. From his early beginnings holding most of his exhibits at the Ayala Museum Artistspace displaying his one-of-a-kind metal sculptures since 2007, Daniel has now progressed to a new direction in his work. He has also done exhibits with galleries in Manila, in Singapore (“Breath and Balance”) in Hong Kong and most recently a two man-show in Fabrik Contemporary Art HK (“The Heart Whispers”), a gallery in Hong Kong that carries distinguished artists such as  Takashi Murakami, Damien Hirst and Andy Warhol, to name a few.

The exhibit “Silent Eloquence” was inspired by a quote from Mother Theresa, a quote which deeply touched the artist and serves as a guiding voice in his quest in life: “We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature — trees, flowers, grass — grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... We need silence to be able to touch souls.”

He feels honored that neurologist and art patron Dr. Joven Cuanang, one of the most respected art collectors and gallery owners in the country, once again invited him to exhibit at Pinto, having held “Doorway to Decision” there in 2011.

Each work of De la Cruz features a deft blend of different metals: brass, copper, lead, iron, bronze, nickel and even black chrome, which he bends, molds and carves by hand to create fluid and graceful oeuvres d’ art. In “Silent Eloquence,” Daniel, who was a Philosophy major at UP, explores our quest for God and finding our true selves within the silence of our souls.

“Silent Eloquence” will be on view until Nov. 10 at the Pinto Art Museum located at No. 1 Sierra Madre, Grand Heights, in the 400-year-old hilltop city of Antipolo. For inquiries and directions, contact Cora 534-4073 or Mikey (0916) 318-7558.