Wynn Wynn Ong and Alex Van Hagen explore forms at Firma

MANILA, Philippines - Two artists — one, a noted photographer who captures images of trees and their shapes and forms; the other, a jeweller who recreates these forms through sculpture and the mastery of precious and base metal — mount a show which opens on Oct. 16 at Firma in Greenbelt 3.

Alex Van Hagen has established himself as a photographer who captures some of the country’s most glamorous faces as well as events for various publications. Well-travelled, with a keen eye for detail, he turned his lens away from famous personalities to feature beautiful landscapes, still lifes and cityscapes.  His fascination with geometric shapes and their play with light and shadow has produced some stunning modernistic works.

Once a year, Alex travels back to the Netherlands to spend some time with his brother Hans, also a noted artist, in his home in the countryside near a copse of old trees. Alex has not tired of  capturing their images year after year — aside from those he has encountered in the Philippines, Europe and the US. In 2007, Alex and Hans had their first joint exhibit; since then, Alex has mounted several successful exhibits.

Wynn Wynn Ong distinguished herself as a designer by following the beat of her own creative drum and declining to compromise on her vision of what jewellery should be. She creates one or two small collections each year, and only a small number of pieces for each.

The designer’s recent collection for the Child Protection Network, Archipelago, was an example of careful research leading to the sum of its details and rich in anthropological study. Images of Philippine history from the pre-Hispanic period to the 19th century were captured through fine miniature sculptures of bul-ols and jewelled saints, tiny paintings on mother of pearl, canvas, or painted in reverse on glass.

Featured in the Firma show are Wynn Wynn’s pieces composed of wooden objects topped with glass domes filled with small sculptures, ostrich eggs rich in detail down to the most minute level. Each piece exhibits layers of visible and invisible craft — sculpting, wood-carving, painting, and jewellery setting — the tangible result of studious research and her coalesced love of taxidermy, history and archaeological references.

For information, call 896-4960, 0915-7859544,  fax 757-4010, email firma2@vasia.com, or visit Firma at G/F Greenbelt 3 Ayala Center, Makati City.