Portraits by Andres Barrioquinto

My good friend and super talented artist Andres Barrioquinto recently collaborated with the Asian Cultural Council (ACC) to celebrate the organization’s 55th anniversary through an exhibit titled Portraits by Andres Barrioquinto at the National Museum of Fine Arts in Manila.

Andres once described his style as “perhaps more sharply individualized than the realist, therefore more dramatically my own, sometimes to the point of eccentricity.” He said, “My works’ individuality becomes more natural when I’m interested in probing my own soul rather than reflecting the world of ideas, and in expressing my inner world than revealing a basic harmony around us. I paint images so exaggerated or distorted that they take us away from the familiar world into one of emotion and feeling. In their most extreme, these expressions may even become hysterical or nightmarish.”

Portraits by Andres Barrioquinto, which featured a collection of 18 portraits, was testament of the artist’s creative evolution as it featured his personal take on contemporary portraiture. He once surprised me with a black-and-white oil on canvas portrait of me. Now, as seen in his exhibit, his portraits are full of color.

The event at the President Sergio Osmeña Hall of the National Museum of Fine Arts was one of the most attended and biggest exhibits in 2018. It is not often that a living contemporary artist is allowed to have an exhibit at the National Museum.

US Ambassador Sung Kim and ACC chairman Wendy O’Neill were the guests of honor during the event.

Kudos to DF Art Agency’s Derek Flores, the Asian Cultural Council Philippines headed by Ernest Escaler and National Museum director Jeremy Barns for pulling off such a feat.

Up next on Andres’ list is another monumental event as he prepares for his inaugural solo show in New York City in March and a comeback solo exhibition in London in September.

30 cheers for Randy Ortiz

Randy Ortiz and Juliana Gomez.

Fashion designer Randy Ortiz marked his 30th year in fashion by presenting a 75-piece collection at The Peninsula Manila.

The event put a spotlight on Randy’s creative artistry and craftsmanship on fabrics with handmade embroidery and beadwork, feminine silhouettes and soft draping for women and sharp and fun tailoring for men.

He also paid homage to those who have helped him pave his way to international fashion stardom: peers, models, colleagues, loyal clients, assistants  and his ultimate fashion inspiration — his mother.

Randy said, “This show is to honor everyone who has been part of my journey as a fashion designer. I am truly grateful for all the support they have given me through the years.” 

On the runway were the children of his former muses and celebrity friends: Juliana Gomez, daughter of Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez and Leyte Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez; Kaila Estrada, daughter of John Estrada and Janice de Belen; as well as children of models Tweetie de Leon-Gonzalez and Marina Benipayo.

The event’s major sponsors were Omega and The Peninsula Manila. It was also supported by Wine Depot, Dia Gold, MAC, Volvo, Madison Galleries, Vittoria Coffee, Santa Vittoria, Kit Silver, Dant x RO, S&H,  Robert Blancaflor Group and Jing Monis Salon.

Congratulations, Randy!

(Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)