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MOST visual artists treat solo exhibitions as platforms to showcase something new, something fresh. Then there’s acclaimed abstractionist Katrina Cuenca, who, in her latest one-artist presentation, made no bones about maintaining the status quo.

‘As with all of my work, it’s the same principle,’ she said about the theme of her most recent exhibit at Art Lounge Manila-Alabang, underscoring instead the consistent sense of optimism that radiates from her colorful, kinetic artworks. ‘The intention is always for the viewers to feel some semblance of peace and happiness-a sense of calm.’

In no way does Cuenca’s statement suggest a lack of vision. If anything, it feels more like a refreshing approach, one that challenges the notion that novelty serves as the lone currency of an artist’s creativity. While Cuenca’s own practice has evolved into other mediums, she chooses to ground her artworks on the principle it’s best known for, communicating the same message she still finds fulfilment in spreading.

As always, positivity shone bright in her latest show, Elysium. Around 30 artworks comprised of paintings and her newer ventures into sculpture filled Art Lounge’s high-ceiling exhibition space at Molito Lifestyle Center in Alabang from September 17 to 29.

During the artist’s reception over the weekend, the self-taught Cuenca shared that she tries to keep true to her practice’s identity no matter what. The exhibit’s featured series, for instance, was created during a ‘dark period’ following her mother’s passing. And yet, her artworks still hold form as vintage Cuenca with its twisting forms and entrancing palette, reminiscent of a betta fish dancing underwater. It’s a disarming sight, eliciting from the viewer a sense of surrender, as if saying let go and let be.

‘That’s how I wanted to feel [during that challenging period,]’ she said, ‘and I think people can relate to that, as well.’

The message pervades Cuenca’s Elysium. In the sizeable 44′ x 77′ painting Regal Atmospheres, we see her signature forms bursting from a void, its motion and drama heightened with a strategic framing made of silverleaf. Cuenca also uses goldleaf in other artworks, pointing to how as a self-confessed ‘Discovery Channel nerd,’ the idea that people are attracted to shiny objects like gold always stuck with her. She remembers that it’s also described as a ‘happy color,’ that interacting with it releases happy hormones.

‘It’s a sort of lucky charm,’ she said. ‘It’s like whoever is the custodian of my work, I’m giving that person luck.’

The same goes for Cuenca’s auspicious Talisman series, which features golden diamond backgrounds that accentuate her dynamic figures. Meanwhile, the exhibit also presented Cuenca’s more recent forays into glass sculptures, including the cerulean Fractus Caeli, which appears like an elemental block taken straight out of the ocean, frozen in time.

Cuenca’s experimentation with different materials and explorations into other mediums demonstrates her natural inquisitiveness. ‘As an abstract artist,’ she said, ‘it’s my job to keep experimenting.’

She’s also excited to test the artistic potential of various items, just like dichroic films, stretched beyond its industrial applications. Even the way she paints puts limits to the test. Her process involves her placing the canvas upside-down and in other different positions just to see how her forms dance at every angle.

What remains constant amid all the changes, however, is the positive, inspiring and enriching energy of her artwork.

Cuenca said, ‘I think that’s where I found my purpose.’

DESPITE the ongoing madness in the local political landscape, the Philippines also got good news one after the other recently.

In a matter of only 24 hours, Jessica Sanchez won America’s Got Talent (AGT), Kirk Bondad was proclaimed Mister International, and Veejay Floresca took home the grand prize in Project Runway US.

Sanchez’s victory was imminent after a stunning, soul-stirring performance of ‘Die with a Smile’ ( a collaboration between Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga) during the final show before Americans started to cast their final votes.

Sanchez is from Chula Vista in San Diego and married to Ricky Gallardo. She recorded a short video upon getting home: ‘I cannot believe what just happened. I was a complete mess onstage emotionally, and I’ve just been doing interviews and stuff, and I still feel the adrenaline and I’m soaking it all in with my husband. I’m just so honored and so grateful to everyone who believed, cheered and voted for me.’

The big dream started 20 years ago when as an 11-year-old hopeful, she joined AGT but didn’t make it very far. In 2012, she almost won American Idol, finishing runner-up to Philip Philips.

In a post victory interview, Sanchez talked about her big dream. ‘That dream started on the AGT stage a long time ago and I think it ignited this fire in me to believe in something bigger. Even though I didn’t make it through that time, and I was devastated as a 10-year-old, I’m so glad to have found that little bit of strength to keep going, and throughout the years it’s really been hard and challenging trying to find myself as a woman and as an artist. But you know, the biggest message is perseverance and just finding that little bit of faith to push though and believe in yourself again. So, here I am, the AGT winner of Season 20, and it’s just so amazing and so crazy,’ she enthused.

Floresca was a surprise winner for Project Runway’s season 21, which has been bashed consistently for many things: choice of designer contestants and judges, constant bickering and drama, boring outputs, and just the overall quality of content in many aspects of the show.

But in the end, after the many plot twists, the US immigrant from the Philippines made history as the first-ever transgender winner of the series, much to the delight of his fans and followers.

Once more, Floresca has proven that not giving up on our dreams is indeed very crucial because it is the reflection of our deepest desires and potentials.

‘If you have thought long and hard about something and it feels right, and it does consistently feels good, then you should not let anyone talk you out of it. Reaching for our dreams require bravery. And bravery is not the absence of fear but the strength to keep moving forward despite every hurdle. The path may seem challenging, even rough, but being brave means embracing all these struggles and continuing, knowing that the reward is always worth the effort you give,’ she told us when she first learned that she made it to season 21 of Project Runway.

Floresca added, ‘Giving up was never an option because it can lead to missed opportunities. I’ve always wanted to be a designer-a good, successful and respected designer. I know Project Runway will open bigger doors and make this dream of mine come true.’ For her feat, Floresca, who competed in the local version of Project Runway in 2008, won a cash pot of $200,000, plus six-month representation by Agentry PR, a mentorship program with the Council of Fashion Designers of America and a spread in Elle magazine.

And then there’s Kirk Bondad, who won Mister International in Thailand a few days ago. Bondad, only the third Mister Philippines to have won the crown after Alexander Aquino in 2001 and Florencio Mata Jr. in 2014, was obviously nervous before he was called out as the winner.

‘Your vision is unique to you and only you, and even if others might not see what you see, it is what you think and and what you feel that matter most. After my devastating loss in Mister World, I knew I cannot give up on my dreams,’ he told us before flying to Thailand earlier this month.

Bondad, who is half German and half Filipino, carries his mom’s surname in all his modelling and pageant activities. His father’s surname is Wachsmuth.

In summation, these victories reaffirm that it takes courage to pursue a dream, especially when others doubt or dismiss it. Just always follow your inner voice, keep your heart and intentions real and pure, and your mind undistracted. It is always okay to reset, restart and refocus, but never give up on your dreams.

Indeed, the big wins of Jessica Sanchez, Kirk Bondad and Veejay Floresca only confirm that big dreams, when pursued with courage, mindset, determination and hard work, have no deadlines.

DESPITE the ongoing madness in the local political landscape, the Philippines also got good news one after the other recently.

In a matter of only 24 hours, Jessica Sanchez won America’s Got Talent (AGT), Kirk Bondad was proclaimed Mister International, and Veejay Floresca took home the grand prize in Project Runway US.

Sanchez’s victory was imminent after a stunning, soul-stirring performance of ‘Die with a Smile’ ( a collaboration between Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga) during the final show before Americans started to cast their final votes.

Sanchez is from Chula Vista in San Diego and married to Ricky Gallardo. She recorded a short video upon getting home: ‘I cannot believe what just happened. I was a complete mess onstage emotionally, and I’ve just been doing interviews and stuff, and I still feel the adrenaline and I’m soaking it all in with my husband. I’m just so honored and so grateful to everyone who believed, cheered and voted for me.’

The big dream started 20 years ago when as an 11-year-old hopeful, she joined AGT but didn’t make it very far. In 2012, she almost won American Idol, finishing runner-up to Philip Philips.

In a post victory interview, Sanchez talked about her big dream. ‘That dream started on the AGT stage a long time ago and I think it ignited this fire in me to believe in something bigger. Even though I didn’t make it through that time, and I was devastated as a 10-year-old, I’m so glad to have found that little bit of strength to keep going, and throughout the years it’s really been hard and challenging trying to find myself as a woman and as an artist. But you know, the biggest message is perseverance and just finding that little bit of faith to push though and believe in yourself again. So, here I am, the AGT winner of Season 20, and it’s just so amazing and so crazy,’ she enthused.

Floresca was a surprise winner for Project Runway’s season 21, which has been bashed consistently for many things: choice of designer contestants and judges, constant bickering and drama, boring outputs, and just the overall quality of content in many aspects of the show.

But in the end, after the many plot twists, the US immigrant from the Philippines made history as the first-ever transgender winner of the series, much to the delight of his fans and followers.

Once more, Floresca has proven that not giving up on our dreams is indeed very crucial because it is the reflection of our deepest desires and potentials.

‘If you have thought long and hard about something and it feels right, and it does consistently feels good, then you should not let anyone talk you out of it. Reaching for our dreams require bravery. And bravery is not the absence of fear but the strength to keep moving forward despite every hurdle. The path may seem challenging, even rough, but being brave means embracing all these struggles and continuing, knowing that the reward is always worth the effort you give,’ she told us when she first learned that she made it to season 21 of Project Runway.

Floresca added, ‘Giving up was never an option because it can lead to missed opportunities. I’ve always wanted to be a designer-a good, successful and respected designer. I know Project Runway will open bigger doors and make this dream of mine come true.’ For her feat, Floresca, who competed in the local version of Project Runway in 2008, won a cash pot of $200,000, plus six-month representation by Agentry PR, a mentorship program with the Council of Fashion Designers of America and a spread in Elle magazine.

And then there’s Kirk Bondad, who won Mister International in Thailand a few days ago. Bondad, only the third Mister Philippines to have won the crown after Alexander Aquino in 2001 and Florencio Mata Jr. in 2014, was obviously nervous before he was called out as the winner.

‘Your vision is unique to you and only you, and even if others might not see what you see, it is what you think and and what you feel that matter most. After my devastating loss in Mister World, I knew I cannot give up on my dreams,’ he told us before flying to Thailand earlier this month.

Bondad, who is half German and half Filipino, carries his mom’s surname in all his modelling and pageant activities. His father’s surname is Wachsmuth.

In summation, these victories reaffirm that it takes courage to pursue a dream, especially when others doubt or dismiss it. Just always follow your inner voice, keep your heart and intentions real and pure, and your mind undistracted. It is always okay to reset, restart and refocus, but never give up on your dreams.

Indeed, the big wins of Jessica Sanchez, Kirk Bondad and Veejay Floresca only confirm that big dreams, when pursued with courage, mindset, determination and hard work, have no deadlines.