Alex Van Hagen, Wynn Wynn Ong reimagine nature in ‘The Trunk Show’

MANILA, Philippines - It all started with trees — the copse of trees in Alex Van Hagen’s countryside home in the Netherlands, the trees of Burma and Austria from Wynn Wynn Ong’s childhood memories, the myriad varieties in this beautiful country, which both artists consider their home.  Their shared fascination for this fount of inspiration led to a collaboration which they called “The Trunk Show,” an unusual collection of photographs, jewelry and objet d’art, which was launched recently at Firma in Greenbelt 3.

Presented together with Ayala Center, Fila, Ralph’s Wines and Restaurante Pia y Damaso, the show attracted Manila’s connoisseurs and collectors who have followed the two artists’ creative output for the past few years and have been long-time clients of Ricky Toledo and Chito Vijandre’s venue for fine art and design. 

Van Hagen’s photographs captured those divine moments during his travels when nature was at its most glorious:  Bare trees against a magnificent sunrise, Kinetic reflections of branches on water, surreal landscapes of trees in the winter, wondrous colors and textures of tree trunks at dusk. Through his lens, these intimate experiences with nature have become arresting images and modernist works of art. 

Wynn Wynn Ong’s pieces showed how her studio has mastered metallurgy and benchwork techniques to produce artisanal craftsmanship in gold, silver and gems.  Candlesticks, minaudieres and lamps emerged from a bark-filled world populated by jewelled creatures.  Delicate earrings, necklaces and wrist corsages woven with fine wire were as light as air.  The highlight of her oeuvre, however, was the collection of glass-domed objet d’art:  From nature scenes featuring Philippine wildlife’s endangered species to tableaus of martyred saints, all painstakingly handsculpted, painted and encrusted with semi-precious stones.  These creations reflect how she has evolved as an artist, creating pieces for the renaissance men and women of today.   

For inquiries, call , 896-4960, SMS 0915-7859544 or visit  firma2@vasia.com