04 July 2005 -- The Philippine Consulate General in Sydney reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that Philippine-based and renowned contemporary sculptor Impy Pilapil has unveiled her latest exhibit at the heart of Sydney's cultural and tourist district as part of the continuing celebration of the Philippines' 107th National Day.

Consular General Maria Theresa Lazaro said the exhibit entitled Cosmic Rhythm, which will run from 01 – 06 July 2005, is featured at the Customs House at Circular Quay, located just near the famous Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbor Bridge.

The 23-piece exhibition of sheet and hand-blown glass, welded steel and Romblon marble encapsulate Impy's artistic vision. The marble, which comes from Romblon, one of the 7,100 islands of the Philippines, approximates the strength and beauty of the world-famous Carrara Marble of Italy. Four big pieces ranging from nine to twelve feet tall form part of this exhibit and elucidates on her personal experiences, spirituality and insights in a journey of self-discovery spanning more than two decades.

Cosmic Rhythm stresses on the inextricable connection of water with the Filipino psyche. They are strongly meditative and represent many aspects of Impy Pilapil's inner-self and her reality.  The sculptures "capture the exuberances of water [which] has become an archetypal element of life (plays) a major role in the advancement of civilization (and) appropriately facilitates God's Cosmic Rhythm," Ms. Pilapil said.

Consul General Lazaro said Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir, AC, Governor of New South Wales, was the guest of honor and officiated the opening of the exhibit.  The opening of the exhibit was attended by about 150 quests from the Filipino-Australian community, Australian art critics, curators and artists.

Impy Pilapil is one of the most renowned Philippine-based sculptors today. Having studied painting and printmaking at the University of the Philippines, she took up further studies at the Academia Italiana in Rome and the Pratt Graphic Institute in New York. Her forays into serigraphy, origami, printmaking, mixed media, glass and marble sculptures have won critical acclaim in the Philippines and abroad. She has also participated in solo and group exhibitions in Rome, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Bangkok, New York, Singapore and Madrid.

The exhibit is a joint project organized by the Philippine Consulate General, the Philippine Trade and Investment Centre and the Philippine Department of Tourism with the support of several corporate sponsors, namely Philippine Airlines, Australian Vanlines, San Miguel Corporation, Western Union, In vest Rite and Mr. Washington Sycip. END
 
 

/jay