Elena Roces : Living life with art

 MANILA, Philippines - Believing that hanging paintings on a wall will eventually leave art unappreciated, Elena Roces creates art that can be touched and used every day. Her latest exhibit, Gelena’s Living Art – Artworks You Can Use, showcases chairs, tables and doors that make a masterpiece out of any house they grace.

Still vibrant and full of energy at 89, the multi-faceted woman is also known as Tita Morita of the now defunct Morita’s restaurant, her labor of love that she built up, from the recipes to the interiors.

Like many of her endeavors, Roces had no prior training in cooking or running a culinary business. But this only challenged and motivated her even more to learn and hone a new craft.

“I painted the whole restaurant,” she says, remembering how much she enjoyed the different aspects of running the restaurant, especially meeting new people.

Always busy creating and exploring new things, Roces has made everything from wedding gowns and cakes to urns and coffins. “I was in the library one day and I found a book on how to make coffins,” she shares on how she got into the unusual craft, again acquiring a new skill through self-study.

In her artist mode, Roces takes on the name Gelena. She remembers loving art ever since she was young. Though she never had formal lessons, the artist muses, “If you’re born with it, you’re born with it.”

Initially, she created conventional paintings, then the idea to go into functional art came to her on a whim. “One day I said I’ll paint the table.” And the rest is – a very colorful – history. Roces says that she tries everything out in her own home first. “Once in a while I change my whole house!”

Chairs with intricately carved backrests painted in bright colors and bold geometric patterns reminiscent of African and Egyptian art.

Her first exhibit a couple of years ago featured her interpretations of images of saints embellished lavishly with crystals and jewels and painted in rich colors. “Everything was sold… It was surprising,” she says of her first exhibit. “It was a very successful show.” Now, Roces is busy preparing for her upcoming exhibit.

Her spacious workshop is full of intricately decorated tables with matching chairs inlaid and painted with colorful patterns, chairs with backrests carved and painted to look like fish, tall wooden dividers with full panels painted with bright market scenes.

Roces’ doors are embellished with tiles and mirrors and painted in exciting hues.

They are decorated on both sides so they may be appreciated from any angle – a reminder of beauty each time one leaves and returns to the house.

Elena Roces’ workshop displays an array of elegantly decorated tables.

Roces does the designs herself and gathers the materials, executing her intricate visions with the help of her able staff. “I enjoy my staff,” she says of the 35 members that she oversees in the operation, noting that she deals everyday with different personalities, but appreciates what each brings to the workshop. “They are like family.”

Her designs reference African and Egyptian art, which she likes for their bold colors and patterns that are perfect with her own decorative aesthetic. “What inspires me?” After thinking a moment, the bubbly and energetic artist exclaims, “Oh, crazy things! There are so many things that one can do.”

“My passion is to create beauty in objects that we touch, use, and enjoy in daily life,” Roces writes in her artist’s statement. “I believe that an artist should make art and the beauty of nature come alive in works of art that people physically come in contact with as they go about their daily lives; when they open doors, sit on chairs, or dine at tables in their own homes and their work places.” With her works, Roces offers a touch of art in each living space.

Wood dividers painted with colorful scenes.

“This is my world,” Roces says, as she poses beside a door lined with gold-flecked tiles and wood carvings embellished with crystals – one of the centerpieces of the exhibit. Viewing her works, one can truly enter Roces’ world. And, whether art imitates life or life imitates art, Elena Roces continues to create works of functional art that truly embody her vibrant life.

Gelena’s Living Art – Artworks You Can Use runs from Sept. 7 to 11 at Greenbelt 5.

One of the highlights of Roces’ exhibit, this door is decorated on both sides with paint, semi-precious stones, tiles, and woodcarvings.