A HAVEN OF LIFE EXPERIENCE

Marney's Photography Works
































Marvie's Mother & Child Series






























(A Press Release for the Las Vegas Family Art Exhibit, 2005)

Just a few miles from the heart of Baguio City (northern province of the Philippines) lays a simple but inviting sanctuary of creative art works. Artist and gallery owner, Ben-Hur G. Villanueva believes that Arko Ni Apo Art Gallery has a special gift of touching the viewer’s life once the place is visited because any individual who walks into his haven has something unique to share with. It may not necessarily be an art piece or arty expertise but it could also be something elusive, a word of comfort or praise, laughter, a challenge … something to make your day/stay fruitful. Further, Ben-Hur would always stress that whatever we accomplish, we owe it all to the Lord, our Creator, so what He has given is only right to share with others and give back the praise for the greater glory of God. This is also the reason why he adheres to the concept of being an “Artist for Others.”

Sculptor, painter and educator, Ben-Hur G. Villanueva, was an art teacher at the country’s prestigious university, Ateneo de Manila University for 30 years and having such experience made him an even more profound being who is passionate for people and life thereby living up to the Atenean spirit, “Man for Others” (in his case, “Artist for Others”). Most of his works of are bronze sculptures (other mediums are wood, metal, stone and a few paintings), which, depict the lives of Cordillera (tribes of the north) workers, ballerinas, musicians and maternal figures. His celebrated monumental masterpieces are as follows: “Ang Supremo” (Global City, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig), “St. Aloysius Gonzaga” (St. Louis University, Baguio City), “The Resurrection” (St. Paul College, Quezon City) and “Thy Will Be Done” (Caleruega Retreat House, Nasugbu, Batangas).

Lolit, Ben-Hur’s wife, is the gallery’s Treasurer and Operations Head. Her artistic propensity lies on her remarkable skills in money matters, liaison tasks and accommodation to all family member and guests/visitors.

The youngest sibling, Joyette is a graduate of the University of the Philippines (Visual Communications Major). She has worked with Rustan’s Corporation and in some reputable animation studios in Manila and specializes in oil and watercolour. So far, her major commissioned artwork is the set of “14 Stations of the Cross “oil paintings at the Ateneo de Manila University Chapel (Grade School Department) and a family mural at home.

Marney is a photography hobbyist. Her subjects include land and seascapes, children, plants and flowers and people in action. Indeed, her lens-produced works has shown magnificent creation of beauty, perfect shade, composition and meticulousness.

The family and gallery PR writer cum painter is Marvie. She started her art endeavours by painting designs on plain shirts and converting oil pastel paintings to Christmas cards. She had various jobs too concerning the aesthetic scene (curator to a local art gallery/museum and secretary to the Society of Philippine Sculptors). Currently, she enjoys producing oil paintings with themes of Mother and Child, Fishes and abstract/mosaic assembly.

And last but certainly not the least is Miggy. Miguel Karlos is Ben-Hur’s youngest grandson. As early as the age of one year and nine months, Miggy has already shown his artistic inclinations a lot of mediums like oil, crayons, pencil and modelling clay.

From sculptures to paintings, ingenious designed mirrors to coffee mugs, tribal/ethnic music to real life profound stories, Arko Ni Apo Art Gallery is truly much more than an art refuge. It is a refuge of life experience that will go a long, long way.(By: Marvie V. Mouton)

Bumbo's Sculptures