I always look forward to Conrad Manila’s “Of Art and Wine” series of exhibits because the featured art masterpieces are not just attractive, they also banner the creativity of our artists. So, when I heard that my friend, Impy Pilapil’s artistic creations, would be the hotel’s next feature, I was excitedly looking forward to it.
The hotel exhibit’s 21st installment, named Traces of Infinity features Impy’s personal collection of 17 mixed media works, sculptures made of wood, steel, metal, stone and marble which she produced from 1994 to 2020. Taking a close look at each of these masterpieces, one can easily see her mastery over the elements, creative artistic approaches and her compelling thematic messages.
An award-winning sculptor, Impy Pilapil’s iconic and profound body of work is sought after by art collectors and cultural institutions. Earning her tertiary degree from the University of the Philippines and her Art diplomas from the Accademia Italiana in Rome and the Pratt Graphics Center in New York, she uses her masterpieces to present a silent yet larger-than-life persona, graced with a technical sophistication.
An advocate for Art as a medium to collectively educate and elevate the inner being, Impy is a determined messenger for living in harmony with nature and knowing our place in the greater scheme of things. She looks forward to the youth taking on a more active role in giving our world a brighter future.
Impy is not new to Conrad Manila. One of the hotel’s major art displays, located at the 3rd floor, is Splendor, the towering hand-blown glass pebbles, glass and stainless sculpture which she carefully handcrafted in time for the hotel’s opening date. She also did Celeste Yule, a 14-foot Christmas tree made of stainless steel rods, wave-shaped metal and gleaming orbs, which dominated the hotel lobby for everybody to be awed by.
One can easily see why she is the favorite of Conrad Manila—the elegance of her artworks seamlessly complement the hotel’s art program which aims to further inspire its guests’ overall experience.
Sharing her inspiration for this particular collection, Impy declared that her “personal quest has always been to find true meaning and purpose through Art, whether it begins from within the pages of a fantasy novel or the wonders of the natural and higher worlds.” She quips, “Wherever it may lead, I will always find traces.”
Leading the exhibit’s opening ceremony were Elizabeth Sy, President, SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. (SMHCC); Peggy Angeles, Executive Vice-President, SMHCC; Fabio Barto, the new General Manager of Conrad Manila; and, of course, Impy Pilapil.
During the event, which was also sponsored by Philippine Wine Merchants, Impy also launched Saturn, the first volume of her career autobiography.
Traces of Infinity is open to the public until January 7 at Conrad Manila’s C Gallery on the 3rd level. Inquiries on the artworks and on Conrad Manila’s offerings may be made through (632) 8833-9999 or conradmanila@conradhotels.com
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