“Avian Visions: When Whimsy meets Realism” by Ella Hipolito and William Alvarez Jr.
runs at Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt from April 16-May 8, 2025
The playful and realistic come together in an exhibit by two distinct artistic voices. A visual dialogue that celebrates how we can experience the natural world, what is seemingly opposite, intertwines in a duet that is not about contrast, but rather about complement. While one artist lets viewers into her charming world of fanciful birds in various states and stages of play and fun, the other features his avian subjects regal and majestic amidst backgrounds of opulence and grandeur.
Ella Hipolito’s playful, stylized birds evoke the charm of happy dreams and childlike stories. Rendered in cheerful palettes, their rounded forms and charming demeanour allow the viewers to delight in the stories they aim to tell. Hipolito reimagines nature in a light and joyful way with birds playing instruments, enjoying festivals and letting loose in vibrant fanciful situations.
On the other hand, William Alvarez honors the stately and elegant peacock by highlighting its dignity through the realism of quietude and meditative detail. Featuring a striking series of peacock portraits, each composition centers on the peacock’s beauty and immortality as it stands poised silent but commanding, its cascading plumage iridescent within stylized land and forestscapes. Avian Visions shows us the duality of whimsy and realism, highlighting the harmony between them. Together, Hipolito and Alvarez present more than just depictions of birds, rather they present us with two ways to experience the world. Whether it’s Hipolito’s wonder-filled and mischievous flocks or solemn, graceful peacocks by Alvarez, each artist brings to the table a co-existence that reminds us how nature is most beautiful when we simply choose to take a second look.
Rizal Artist Ella Hipolito is a graduate of Fine Arts from the College of the Holy Spirit Manila. She worked as an Art Director prior to being a full time visual artist in 2015. She is Co-founder of the San Mateo Artists Guild, the first & only recognized art group in San Mateo, Rizal and has had several solo shows. She has also participated in numerous group exhibitions and art demonstrations and was a finalist in several prestigious competitions including the GSIS National Art Competition. She started sculpting in Brass in 2021 while continuously painting her whimsical works on Canvas.
William Alvarez Jr.’s major achievements include winning the grand prize for the Non-Representational Category of the 2017 GSIS National Art Competition and being awarded the LIKAS Morong Gawad Kabataan Award for 2017. Alvarez’ other notable achievements include the following: Shortlist, Philippine Art Awards 2018 (Regional Competition in Luzon Category); Semi-finalist, MADE (Metrobank Art and Design Excellence) 2018; Awardee, 116th Araw ng Lalawigan ng Rizal 2017; Honorable Mention, National GSIS Art Competition 2010; Finalist, Exhibition Center for Contemporary Art (ECCA) 2010. William Alvarez Jr. currently resides in Morong, Rizal and is an active member of the community-based artist group MUSTRA (Morong Young Artists).
“Avian Visions: When Whimsy meets Realism” by Ella Hipolito and William Alvarez Jr. runs at Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt from April 16-May 8, 2025. The gallery is is located at 3/F Greenbelt 5, Makati City. For inquiries call +63 936 225 1226 or email gallerianicolasgreenbelt@gmail.com
