Featured artists Elaine Navas Kara de Dios Pam Yan Santos and Marina CruzThe Lopez Museum and Library opened its 2017 calendar with the exhibition reception of Pauses of Possibility featuring guest artists Marina Cruz, Kara de Dios, Elaine Navas and Pam Yan Santos on February 18.

an Santos on February 18. The opening garnered a considerable turnout with family and friends of the artists, art aficionados, and the support of long-time friends of the museum

The night started off with performances by the Ateneo Blue Symphony, whose musical notes filled the galleries and set the tone for appreciating pieces from both the Lopez permanent collection and the featured works by the artists.

Among the guests of note was US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim, who turned out to be an art enthusiast. With museum director Cedie Lopez Vargas and exhibition curator Ricky Francisco, the ambassador received a personal walk-through around the exhibition with the artists presenting their works. He also browsed through the Lopez library under the guidance of head librarian Mercy Servida.

Guests admired the broad brushstrokes and dynamic impasto works of Navas, her paintings of funeral bouquets lively with color yet containing somber narratives.

Never short of curious participants was Santos’ installation work “A Space In between Thoughts” that consists of a towering canvas depicting outlines of drawers overlaid with stenciled text of her notes.

enciled text of her notes. Adults and kids alike sat in the swiveling armchair that flanked the canvas-work; the other component of the installation was a massive card catalog cabinet with each compartment labeled with a word or phrase. Guests were instructed to write down their musings on cards the artist provided, which they then inserted in the applicable drawer.

The guessing game of photoor-painting commenced while viewing the works of Cruz— intricately painted renditions of clothing using oil on canvas with details beautifully embroidered, and placed side by side with their photographic counterparts. Cruz’s imagery contained curiosities and whimsy, giving the viewer a glimpse into her family’s treasure chest filled with old garments and books owned by her grandmother. Equally fascinating were the glistening ceramic works of De Dios—hilly landscapes containing thoughts on the anxieties of womanhood, miniature ceramic masks and oyster shells forming altar pieces that immortalize apologies.

The Lopez Museum and Library’s muted Nena Saguil abstractions balanced the brightly colored Macario Vitalis canvases. Both artists abroad depicted distinct stylistic renditions of landscapes while, to some extent, still being bound to their Philippine sensibilities of imagery and color. The permanent collection tied together the overall aesthetic of an experiential show that calls for much-needed moments of contemplation in today’s turbulent times.

Pauses of Possibility will run until June 17, 2017 at the Lopez Museum and Library. The Lopez Museum and Library’s Public Programs sponsor is Gourmet Farms Inc.

The Lopez Museum and Library is at the ground floor, Benpres Building, Exchange Road cor. Meralco Avenue, Pasig City. Museum days and hours are Mondays to Saturdays, except holidays, 8am-5pm. Avail of unlimited access to exhibitions and library resources by signing up for the Lopez Museum membership program. Members can borrow books from the lending section and get discounts on lectures, workshops and services for only P1,500. For other inquires and concerns, and for scheduling of special tours and field trips, call 631-2417 (museum) or 631- 2425 (library); or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Oscar and Connie Lopez with Ambeth Ocampo

Maita Lichauco Mercedes L. Vargas H.E. US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim and Angela L. Guingona