CROSSES-CROSSES big and small, most of it made from wood, some of it accentuated with mother-of-pearl—all 33 of it lining up the walls of Qube Gallery for the next two weeks.
Aptly titled “Cruces,” the exhibit is the first that artist Hans Brumann has staged outside of Metro Manila, and the third of his crosses series, succeeding the first two held way back in the mid 1980s.
Though Brumann has staged several exhibits of other themes in between, this year he has decided to go back to one of his earlier fascinations as he introduces his body of work to Cebuano patrons. Crosses, he said, have always intrigued him and as an artist have inspired him to redesign it with a more contemporary flair to address people’s evolving artistic sensibilities.
Cruces is a conceptual fusion of different natural elements, a feature that Hans, even in his main profession of jewelry-designing, has specialized over the years. In his current exhibit, he uses mainly wood such kamagong, narra and molave as platform and adds exquisite details using Mother of Pearl, some of which have natural pearl blisters. It is an interesting mix of earth and water elements, Hans pointed out.
Two of the notable items in the exhibit are the Cross XXVI and XXIX, both of which were on auction during the opening night, proceeds of which go to Hans’ beneficiary. The Cross XXVI is a 28x50 cm made of Kamagong wood and an icon of the body of Christ made of silver. As for the Cross XXIX, it is an eye-catching piece at 74x110 cm, small wood pieces that together create a sophisticated, geometric masterpiece.
A Swiss national formally trained in jewelry design, Hans has since found his home in Manila since moving to the Philippines in 1967 initially to work as designer with a top retail firm at that time, La Estrella del Norte. His career flourished until eventually he set up his eponymous firm in 1976.
Over the years Hans has occasionally dabbled in art exhibitions as well, collaborating with esteemed painters and sculptors in showcasing their work around Metro Manila. “I think both go hand in hand,” he said of his enthusiasm in design and craftsmanship, “I design beautiful things.”
Cruces exhibit will run until Oct. 24, Friday, at the Qube Gallery in Banilad, Cebu City.