Flore et Feminae

Meaning “flowers and women” in Latin, “Flore et Feminae” hearkens to Aileen Lanuza’s favored subjects and what they divulge about the female soul. The seeming omnipresence of flowers and floral motifs within the artist’s oeuvre reveals a captivation with the visual character of various blooms. Arranging these skillfully rendered flora alongside her female subjects vested in traditional Filipino dress, Lanuza composes her works as inquiries into the archetypal Filipina.

The artist paints her delicate floral arrangements alongside partially concealed women – revealing only their eyes to onlookers. Lanuza proves her masterful command over her medium through the subtlety of expression she conveys through the eyes alone. It is through the eyes Lanuza reveals the character of her subjects – whether it be a soft look, a stony glare, or a forlorn glance, that the artist is more interested in capturing these nuances of emotion rather than rendering the full unobstructed female form. This intentional manipulation of what is revealed and concealed to the viewer transforms her craft into an act of rebellion. In an art world that has historically delegated the role of beautiful object to female bodies, Aileen Lanuza defiantly frames women as the emotional embodied subjects of her works.

Rendering her signature floral compositions alongside these portraits, Aileen Lanuza allows the delicate character of flowers to coexist with the nuance of women’s emotions. Beauty and tenderness meld with the emotional and complex to paint a picture of the Filipina soul. Like a flower’s twisting stems and unfurling petals, Lanuza’s works unfold as a demystification of femininity as a heterogeneous network of experiences; the Filipina anima emerges as something mysterious and intense yet altogether beautiful.

Aileen Lanuza completed her studies at the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts where she was a consistent college scholar graduating with honors. She has participated in over 30 group exhibitions and her paintings have been included in auction houses Larasati, Masterpiece, and Borobudur, and have been featured in publications such as “A Treasury of Philippine Nudes”, “Larasati, Pictures of Asia”, and “100 Years, 100 nudes” by the UP Alumni Centennial celebration.

“Flore et Feminae” by Aileen Lanuza will run from April 14 - 23, 2024 with an Artist Reception on April 19, 2024 at 5 PM. Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt is located at 3F, Greenbelt 5, Legazpi Street, Makati City. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas at +63 936 225 1226 or email gallerianicolasgreenbelt@gmail.com.