Have no plans yet for the weekend? Leòn Gallery will hold Leòn Exchange Online Auction 18 on Jan. 23 and 24 starting at 11 a.m.
Guest curated by a medical practitioner and design consultant Dr. Joel Malixi, the weekend event features art, prints, jewelry, and watches on Day 1: The Collector’s Vault and furniture, objets d’art, silver, glass, porcelain, and china on Day 2: The Heiress’ Homes and Tables.
Top-billing the lot of exquisite art are three lots of unconventional flower and plant photographs by business tycoon and master photographer Jaime Zobel de Ayala (b. 1934).
“Plants and Leaves I-IV” (from 11” x 9” to 12.5” x 11.5”), “Tulips I-III” (from 13” x 6” to 13” x 8.5”), and “Lilies I-III” (from 11.5” x 8.5” to 13.5” x 7.5”) capture the fleeting beauty in flora by juxtaposing shapes and colors in a series of digital montage-collage that is playful and meditative at the same time. Business tycoon and artist Zobel de Ayala is the first Filipino photographer to be conferred a “Licentiate” by the Royal Photographic Society upon recommendation of the Spanish and French governments.
There are three luminous glass sculptures by Ramon Orlina (b. 1944), who pioneered the use of Asahi glass in art-making and is widely regarded as “Father of Philippine Glass Sculpture.” “Abstrex 23” (1966, 9” x 5.5” x 4.5”) bears the silhouette of a Mother and Child, “Untitled” (1990, 10” x 9” x 4.5”) appears to be a mystical eye, while “Visions 7” (1991, 4” x 5.5” x 3.5”) mimics a faceted gem.
Two superb works by Juvenal Sanso (b. 1929) exemplify the master’s iconic expressionist landscapes: “Untitled” (ca 1980, acrylic on canvas, 19.5” x 28.5”), which is both medieval and cityscape, and “Untitled” (ca 1960, oil on canvas, 24” x 36”), which is both forest and floral ensemble.
“Town Scene” (1993, mixed media on canvas, 26” x 58”) by Antonio Mahilum (1948-2008) is a unique yet representative piece of the master’s “antebellum crowd scene.” Here, viewers get a bird’s eye view of rural folk living and are given the option to zoom in on everyday activities rendered in rich detail.
“Sabel” (2014, archival print on acid-free paper, A/P III, 30.5” x 21.5”) by Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera (b. 1942) is an almost sculptural rendition of the National Artist’s most famous series that catapulted him to local and international fame. Sabel is the scavenger wrapped in plastic sheets that he found in Sta Cruz, Manila, while he was still living on Yakal Street in the 1960s.
Also on the auction block are works by National Artists Napoleon Abueva, Eduardo Castrillo, Arturo Luz, and Vicente Manansala alongside pieces from Pacita Abad, Angelito Antonio, Norma Belleza, Prudencio Lamarroza, and David Medalla. Works from contemporary artists such as Pam Yan Santos, Geraldine Javier, Kawayan de Guia and Max Balatbat are also.
Also part of this online auction is Albert Garcia’s entire collection of Asian antiques and ephemera. He is a Filipino who grew up in Spain, migrated to Australia, retired in the Philippines, and left for Australia once more. An independent businessman who traveled extensively, he felt himself drawn to the Asian region, acquainting himself with the culture and history, enabling him to comprehend further local dispositions that aided him in his business dealings.
Philippine ceramics caught his eye, and in the’60’s, while still in school, as he slowly started collecting them. While living in Australia, Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia became his hunting grounds, fueling his sense of adventure and collector’s itch.
“Over time, I became friends with the different antique dealers in various countries. I would go to their stock rooms, where there were more selections. In Vietnam, I was in the country in 1981 while Saigon was still boarded up, I was able to purchase heirloom pieces that otherwise would not have been sold in the market, as the original owners had fled the country,” explains Garcia. Comes a time, however, when sobering thoughts of letting go of things give way to that once heart-thumping urge for prized acquisitions. “I had to seriously think of estate planning because none of my children have the same taste as I have. Some are priceless and irreplaceable”.
The exhibition will be open to the public starting on January 16 (Saturday) to 13 (Friday) from 9 AM to 7 PM. Previews of these lots will be at Leòn Gallery in Warehouse 14, La Fuerza Compound, Don Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City. It’s as simple as going to www.leonexchange.com and registering as a buyer.
Visit www.leon-gallery.com or contact info@leon-gallery.com or call 8856-2781 for more information.
