Sanso works featured at Qube Gallery and Henry Hotel
The contemporary Qube Gallery at the Henry Hotel recently celebrated its first year anniversary with an art exhibit that featured the personal collection of Spanish artist Juvenal Sanso.
Sanso first came to the Philippines at the tender age of four. His father was a sculptor who established a decorative wrought iron business. He had hoped that Sanso’s training under first art teacher Alejandro Celis would incline the boy towards the family business. However, while studying at the UP College of Fine Arts, Sanso fell in love with painting; having been influenced by masters such as Ireneo Miranda, Fernando Amorsolo and Dominador Casteñeda. He left for Europe to further his studies at the Academia di Belle Arti in Rome. He then established a home in Paris and pursued his craft traveling to art capitals in Italy, the US and the United Kingdom.
After living in Paris for 50 years, Sanso returned to the Philippines and brought with him “Rare and Essential,†a collection of work-themed after summer beach scenes, lush greeneries and golden dawnscapes.
He had his first local one-man show at the Philippine Art Gallery. He has since continued traveling to other countries specifically Italy, United States, England and Mexico holding solo exhibits. He goes back to Manila regularly for occasional shows.
As a permanent resident of Manila, Sanso remains a cultural icon in the Philippines. He has won several awards — among them the Presidential Medal of Merit by the Philippines in 2006, considered the most prestigious award given to an artist for his invaluable contribution to visual arts in the country, the distinguished Cross of Isabela by Spain in 2007 in recognition of his exemplary work across national boundaries and the Chevalier de L’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by France in 2008.
As a way of giving back to the art community, Sanso has played a significant role in encouraging young Filipino artists to excel in their field. From 2008 to 2009 he served as artist in residence for the Art Interaction program of the Shell National Student Art Competition.
Today he paints in watercolor, acrylic and his preferred ink and dry brush medium. He also continues to produce fine etchings in a very dynamic, strong-lined style.
* * *
Cebuana Angeli Dione Gomez was chosen as the winner of the 17th Miss Tourism International 2013 pageant held in Malaysia on New Years’ Eve. This is a back-to-back win for the Philippines. Gomez was crowned by last year’s winner Rizzini Alexis Gomez, also from Cebu.
The newly crowned beauty came home to Cebu escorted by veteran writer Pete Dacuycuy, to share her rewarding experiences and enthusiastically promote world tourism and of course, along the way represent and increase awareness of the beauty, wonders and hospitality of the Philippines.
Welcoming Angeli back were her proud parents Al and Gwen Gomez who hosted an intimate dinner at the rooftop of the Avalon Tower in Ayala Business Park.
