Eduardo Castrillo’s ‘Crucifixus’ at Galerie Joaquin

MANILA, Philippines - Sculptor Eduardo Castrillo, known for his large monuments such as the People’s Power Monument along EDSA, will have a special exhibition of previously-unseen smaller works at Galerie Joaquin. The exhibit titled “Crucifixus” features a series of crucifixes he originally intended as part of the family’s collection. The exhibition doubles as a demonstration of faith for Castrillo, who was inspired by the recent visit of Pope Francis to exhibit these private works. It is also timely as millions of Catholics prepare for the season of Lent.

Eduardo Castrillo was born in 1942 in Sta. Ana in Manila. A product of the University of Santo Tomas, Castrillo comes from a family of craftsmen. His father, Santiago, was a master jeweler whose jewelry techniques eventually formed the crux of his son’s metalworking techniques. Fashioning jewelry from metal sheets, the elder Castrillo taught his son that using pliable metal is perhaps a better approach than the use of molds. It is also an ancient technique — pre-colonial artifacts from Surigao show that ancient Filipinos were already working with metal sheets to make funeral masks. Castrillo’s later innovation was to eventually apply this age-old technique for large-scale projects.

The exhibit is on view until March 11. Galerie Joaquin is at 371 P. Guevarra Avenue, Addition Hills, San Juan City. For information, call 723-9418 or visit www.galeriejoaquin.com.