Ramon Orlina, Michael Cacnio and Carlo Magno in ‘Lumina’ at Galleria Nicolas

MANILA, Philippines - An artwork’s ability to work with light — through techniques such as illumination and shadowing — allows viewers to cast judgment on its merits as a masterpiece. Familiarity with the usage of light is particularly nuanced when viewing works of sculpture, and the skill of an artist is tested by his ability to bend, reflect, and refract light. So it isn’t surprising that the likes of imminent master sculptors Ramon Orlina and Michael Cacnio are well versed in the interplay between sculptural material and luminescence. When their new works are combined with the renowned abstract canvases of painter Carlo Magno, the resulting exhibition is intriguing.

These three artists open the recently renovated art landmark in Makati, Galleria Nicolas. The exhibition titled “Lumina” opens on Jan. 24, Thursday, 6:30 p.m., at Galleria Nicolas, third floor, Art Space, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City.

Ramon Orlina’s recent forays into other materials — such as carved amber crystal — underscores his absolute mastery of light. His “Sunrise in El Nido II” is a cacophony of light bouncing and reflecting off the carved amber crystal in a myriad of ways, leaving the viewer transfixed as the artist manages to convey the atmosphere of a sunrise over a fantastic destination spot like Palawan. He uses the material’s natural interaction with light and dominates its direction. In “The Archer,” Orlina uses his more familiar carved green glass and constructs a plausible figurative archer ¾ only abstracted to an extreme angular dimension and using available light to give the artwork weight.

For Lumina, Michael Cacnio delves into a completely new aspect of his practice ¾ lighted sculptures that illuminate portions of the artwork, lending an ethereal quality to an already fascinating concept. Cacnio’s “Meditation,” with the meditating figure illuminated with a soft-blue light from within, suggests the figure is close to reaching enlightenment.

Carlo Magno complements these two heavyweight sculptors with the characteristic abstractions that have seen him become one of the foremost abstractionists in the country.

“Lumina” is on view until Feb. 9. For information, call 625-0273, email info@gallerianicolas.com, or visit www.gallerianicolas.com.