7 January 2019, Milan - The Philippine Consulate General in Milan launched this week its Likhang Pilipino Series featuring the works of sculptor Richard Gabriel, a 2007 Bagong Bayani Awardee for Culture and the Arts.
Gabriel left his hometown in Pampanga 30 years ago, moved to Italy to study art and had the good fortune to work as assistant to Italian national artist Carla Tolomeo. Over the years he honed his talent and was commissioned to work with top Italian design shops and a French hotel. He has exhibited his works extensively all over Italy, as well as in the Philippines and in Moscow. The latest feather to his cap was winning the top prize in the 13th Artzept Zepter International Design Award in 2016 for his treble clef mosaic piece.
The Likhang Pilipino series at the Galleria Filipina of the Consulate seeks to put “a spotlight on Filipino artists whose stories of chasing a dream can provide inspiration to each one of us,” Consul General Irene Susan Natividad remarked during the opening of the exhibit. “ I also want to provide the space and platform for our artists to showcase their work and for our kababayans and Italian visitors whom we receive at the Consulate every day to discover and appreciate the Filipino’s ingenuity and inane creativity,” the Consul General added.
Gabriel’s exhibit will run from 7-11 January 2019 and includes paintings and mixed media sculptures of shoes and animals.
Consul General Irene Susan B. Natividad with the artist, Mr. Richard Gabriel cutting the ribbon to open the exhibit.
A sample of the ceramic collection and paintings on display.
