By Bryle B. Suralta
Paulina Luz Sotto is back for Rustan’s For The Arts 2019 after an impressive showing last year. This time, she’s presenting her work alongside her grandfather, National Artist for Visual Arts Arturo Luz.
Nestled at the third Level of Rustan’s Shangri-La Ortigas until April 30, the exhibit’s artworks will later be put on display at the fifth level of Rustan’s Makati from May 3 to May 15.
Arturo Luz is a printmaker, sculptor, designer and founding member of the modern neorealist school of Philippine art. Influenced by Modernist painters like Paul Klee, he has worked in a variety of styles and techniques in varying degrees of abstraction.
For Paulina Luz Sotto, his granddaughter, she’s always preached “beauty in simplicity” when it comes to the abstract work she creates. Now a dedicated visual artist, Paulina has had three successful solo exhibits, and has been part of various group exhibits. She has sold numerous paintings, as well.
She’s still amazed by the success she’s had over the past three years.“Who would want my work? Until now, when people buy, sometimes, I sit there and [say], ‘people really pay me money to own my artworks for them to see every day. Are they serious?’” she says with a laugh.
Being the granddaughter of Arturo Luz, she acknowledges that her grandfather has influenced her artistic process.
“He’ll give me advice,” she says. “For example, I’ll go to him. I’ll make kwento. ‘I’m having such a hard time thinking of ideas,’ and he’ll say, ‘why are you thinking of new ideas? What’s wrong with your old ones? They’re still good, right?'”
Among the other highlights of this year’s Rustan’s For The Arts are merchandise, such as special edition serving trays and boxes, designed with the artwork of Arturo Luz.
Starting with the creation of the “Galerie Bleue” in 1984, Rustan’s, through the years, has made sure to contribute to the cultivation of culture by presenting art in a more public domain (in this case, at the mall). The corporation has also supported the initiatives of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra’s international tours, collaborated with National Artist for Visual Arts Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera and more.
As Rustan’s For The Arts presents the works of Arturo Luz and Paulina Luz Sotto together for the first time, it hopes to present the beauty of art and fine taste to a wider audience. Rustan’s has continuously strived to bring the talent and exquisite craftsmanship of Filipino artists annually to further enrich homes and lives.
For more details on the Rustan’s For The Arts schedules and meet-and-greet mechanics, follow @RustansPH on Facebook and Instagram, or visit Rustans.com.ph.
