Harnessing “energy forces” to maximize luck under belief systems such as the Chinese Zodiac deal with time-specific variables. The year of one’s birth, for example, determine what colors are most auspicious, or what numbers must be avoided.
How, then, does a visual artist like Lizanne Uychaco, whose art espouses the principles of feng shui, ensure that her paintings’ promise of prosperity applies to everyone, while standing the test of time and changing signs?
“Some things are perennial, like the coin,” the Filipino-Chinese artist said, referring to the central icon of her artworks. “There are general things that bring good luck that can go anywhere. So it’s not always about feng shui, because art is art.”
In time for the Chinese New Year, Uychaco headlines the 22nd edition of Conrad Manila’s Of Art and Wine series with a solo exhibition, titled Colors of Prosperity. The show opened on January 10 and will be on view until March 18 at the Pasay City hotel’s Gallery C.
Showcased are Uychaco’s 34 artworks rich in textures and symbols intended to attract good luck, harmony and success. Most of the pieces feature the artist’s signature recurring symbol, the oriental coin, with its round shape and void square representing heaven and earth, yin and yang. The balance serves as the basis of the I-Ching, or the circle of life, and the Zen of meditation.
When Uychaco was five years old, she caught a great illness that forced her to drop out of school. Her parents, who heavily subscribed to Chinese beliefs, brought her to a monk. She was handed with what was promised to her as a “magic coin.”
“’You will get well, you will be very lucky, you will succeed,’” Uychaco, who also sits as a senior vice president of SM Investments Corp., quoted the monk as saying.
“I’m not sure I’m very rich, but I think I can really say that I’ve been very lucky, very happy, and very blessed.”
Uychaco wore that coin until it corroded. But she keeps its meaning and magic intact by depicting its image on most of her paintings, including those featured in her ongoing solo exhibition, her second with Conrad Manila.
In Money Tree in Full Bloom, the coin appears in bunches as fruits growing from a heavily textured tree, set against a striking tri-colored background of red, white, and green.
Meanwhile, the image figures in a more central placement in Earth’s Blessings and other entries to the artist’s vertically-oriented series.
Both artworks, along with the others in the show, display Uychaco’s proficiency in working with mixed media. She combines the principles of sculpture, pottery, jewelry-making, silver craft, gold gilding, and calligraphy, as well as painting with watercolor, oils, and acrylics.
According to Conrad Manila general manager Fabio Berto, the exhibition reflects the group’s commitment in sharing the light and warmth of hospitality through curated touches of luxury that are empowering and bold.
“We are delighted to usher in 2023 and the Year of the Rabbit with Lizanne’s vibrant Filipino-Chinese art pieces that echo tradition, family and positivity,” he said.
More information about Conrad Manila’s Of Art and Wine Series: Colors of Prosperity is available at conradmanila@conradhotels.com or 8833-9999, and Art Elements Asian Gallery at 0917-9577005.