Art becomes limitless if one explores beyond their comfort zone.
This statement is perfectly captured by the collaborative work of the creative duo behind Kathy & Kathy Bespoke, Sarabia-Babst and Kathy Gregorio-Añove, with the help of multimedia contemporary artist Demi Padua.
The fortuitous first-time collaboration of these three artists seamlessly merges traditional and contemporary aesthetics with the birth of their first collaborative obra maestra, ‘Golden Layers.’
Golden Layers is a limited collection that showcases seven one-off pieces, with each figurine meticulously handcrafted in 14k gold.
The collection retells profound narratives by combining beauty in diverse elements to symbolize the endless possibilities that may emerge from this convergence.
Art meets gold
The collaborative effort between Demi and Kathy and Kathy Bespoke is a prime illustration of their commitment to expanding the limitless boundaries of traditional jewelry and contemporary design.
Sarabia-Babst and Kathy Gregorio-Añove have been known for crafting personalized jewelry using traditional methods as one way of preserving the fading craft of handcrafted jewelry.
Demi Padua, on the other hand, is a prolific contemporary painter in the regional art scene whose artworks often fuse disparate elements to create a new semblance of beauty.
Despite venturing into completely different realms of art, these artists have teamed up to give people something that has never been seen before.
In the process of creating the collection, the original idea was to form a medallion piece or jewelry people used to see and wear on a daily basis.
However, Padua wanted to further push his creativity to the limits by departing from his usual head-focused artworks. This time, he went to form a complete human figurine with a removable head full of beads and gold.
These figurines were intricately crafted using a variety of metal finishes for depth and contrast and hand-cut authentic gold for layers.
The collection also employed a combination of diamonds and gemstones, as well as filigree and tamburin, in bringing to life Padua’s creative ideas.
The result is a majestic fusion of tradition and contemporary artistry explicitly embedded in the Golden Layers collection.
Stories behind the collection
Golden Layers, at least for Padua, is not just an artistic output but also a celebration of his life as an artist.
Each layer of miniature represents a remarkable chapter in his artistic journey, embodying his struggles and success.
Through his art, Padua reminds us that new life, creativity, and inspiration can always blossom.
Golden Layers is a collection that tells the story of its artists while also going beyond the usual.
With reports from Guilla Therese Nicole Santiago, Marise Marquez, Koji Morales, and Amelita Reposo.
