Pinoy artist stages exhibit ìn London

Renowned Philippine artist Rene Robles showcased Philippine talent in the United Kingdom as he held an exhibit in central London last week. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Sunday said the event was held in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy in London and the Batangas-UK Association. "Mr. Robles put on display works that defied the usual norms and stimulated the viewers' minds," the DFA said in its website. His exhibit, titled "Assertionism: The Art of Rene Robles," at the Chelsea Gallery in central London last week. A prelude to the commemoration of RP-UK Friendship Day, the exhibit ran for five days in the heart of the trendy Kensington and Chelsea district. Among those at the exhibit were senior officials of the Philippine Embassy, members of the Filipino-UK community, and local art enthusiasts. On the other hand, the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in London arranged for Robles to talk before POLO's regular jobs/skills promotion program at the Embassy and share his knowledge of the arts with interested Filipinos last October 17. He conducted a demonstration of the different art movements, as well as lectured on his own works and "Assertionism" - or art that has power, asserts, transforms and transcends - a 21st century art movement he initiated which has gained worldwide acceptance. Robles is an internationally acclaimed artist who studied at the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines where he was a University Rector College Scholar and recipient of the University's Gold Medal for Excellence. He also studied at the National Academy of Design and the School of Fine Arts Students League, both in New York. He has also received various Philippine and international awards and distinctions, and has appeared in galleries, collections and publications around the world. "His works have found their way into the collections of His Majesty King Juan Carlos of Spain, King Khalid of Saudi Arabia, former United States President Bill Clinton, and Malcolm Forbes, among others," the DFA said. It added Robles founded the Assertionism Art Center and Subic Art Institute and Gallery, and is a resident artist of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. – KBK, GMANews.TV