Art, lost & found • Jia Estrella

MANILA, Philippines - Discarded, abandoned or unused furniture pieces have found a sanctuary of new life in the creative hands of mixed-media artist Jia Santos-Estrella. Her posh multi-function art is dipped in her imagination’s whimsical elegance and imbued by 16 years of being exposed to high fashion in Rustan’s.

Handling merchandising for luxury brands such as Fendi, Tiffany & Co., Prada and Bottega Veneta, she also became a fashion buyer, sourcing brands and going to trade shows in Europe and New York. By the time she bid farewell to her corporate life in 2008, she held the title of AVP for the fashion division and buying director.

“We would see everything, the latest runway fashion... make a mood board, a story line. (It’s) the same with my art now. It’s like doing a collection. When I had my show (La Maison) at the Pinto Art Museum, I divided it into different groups and colorations. I get my inspiration from prints and patterns of fashion houses (and dig) into their design archives,” says Jia.

“In high school I would already take art classes at the Ayala Museum, but art appreciation really started when I was working already in Rustan’s. My friend Louie Lopez would bring me to art galleries. When I retired from Rustan’s, a friend invited me to the art show of John Santos in Ayala Museum. Then I instantly became addicted to the art scene!” Jia exclaims.

The way she produces her works is quite the opposite from when she was an Assumption College fresh graduate of interior design who entered Habitat as a furniture designer. Structure was created from scratch with design flowing from the structure. Now, she first contemplates the design and how it will suit the structure.

From her first exhibit in 2011 at Art Informal called Shifting Scenes, a wooden bench is hand-painted with the white and blue of Santorini’s beauty while dull wooden tables are reborn in blue and white chinoiserie.

A glimpse of her second exhibit, La Maison, sends you off to a warm atmosphere of a French-Morrocan abode. Speaking of Morocco, she has recently opened a lifestyle brand in Rustan’s called Majorelle, sourced and developed in Morocco together with her partner, Malu Estrella Jaidi.

This mother of three daughters is set to open an art studio, J’s Studio, that will be an exhibition space, as well as an art academy in Las Piñas. This will be headed by multi-awarded artist Alfred Esquillo.

“Some pieces I source when I travel, in vintage shops. Some local. Once I saw a long railing that I made into a bench. I’d say 80 percent of my work are found objects rather than furniture.”

If she hasn’t put enough on her plate, this go-getter is preparing for her next show in September at Art Informal. This time, the inspiration is her mom and serves somewhat of a tribute to her. In this exhibit, Jia will convert a room into a bedroom. Everything that inspired Jia from her mom’s house will be there, exuding a more Oriental theme in contrast.

With that, Jia, whose secret to life is inner peace, will make waves again.

Photography by RITA ABIOG • Creative direction and styling by LUIS ESPIRITU JR. • Makeup by BOBBY CARLOS, national makeup artist for Max Factor Philippines • Hairstyling by JIM GUERRERO of L’Oréal Professionel • Both dresses by HALSTON HERITAGE exclusively at RUSTAN’S •  Jewelry by MILADAY JEWELS • Shot on location at the FAIRMONT GOLD LOUNGE