MANILA, Philippines - Mixed media artist Jia Santos-Estrella provides us glimpses into the places of her fondest affections in a show titled “Je t’aime” at the Pinto Art Museum. By appropriating the material and metaphor of old windows, which the artist re-worked to frame her paintings, Santos-Estrella transforms the gallery space into a nexus where one can peer through several places at once. This visual device, known as the pictorial window, was used as early as the late Roman period to enhance an indoor space to open to otherworldly vistas. For this show, the artist creates pictorial windows that feature the spaces laden with beautiful memory.
“Je t’aime”, French for “I love or like,” refers to the artist’s emotional regard for the subject and inspiration for her pieces. “The show is an homage to my parents — Jim and Myrna Santos — as they celebrate their 70th birth year. My way of saying thank you for showing me the world,” the artist says. “The show features cities that I love.” These cities, painted within reused windows, are Venice, New York, Paris, and even Las Piñas.
The exhibition opens on Sept. 28, 3 p.m. with a preview presentation of the artist’s designed jewelery. ?
Santos-Estrella was a corporate luxury merchandising director and fashion buyer before turning her creative eye to artistic practice in 2010. She held her first solo show in 2011. “Je t’aime” is her third solo exhibition. The artist also runs a gallery of her own, Jstudio, where she collaborates to host creative events with different artists friends and art enthusiasts.
“Je t’aime” is on view until Oct. 23.
Pinto Art Museum is a private museum dedicated to the presentation of Philippine contemporary art, based on the art collection of Dr. Joven Cuanang. The museum is at 1 Sierra Madre St. Grand Heights, Antipolo City Rizal. For inquiries, call 697-1015 or email at pintoartmuseum@yahoo.com.