Joanna Lhuillier captures tenderness and strength in ‘Living Color’
Her art transforms unconventional materials — fish scales, exotic skins, and glass beads — into profound, textured masterpieces.
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Her art transforms unconventional materials — fish scales, exotic skins, and glass beads — into profound, textured masterpieces.
Woman of the hour: Joanna Lhuillier.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY EDU JARQUE FOR THE DAILY TRIBUNE
Family: Michael Lhuillier, Joanna Lhuillier, MJ Lhuillier and Matthew Lhuillier.
Friends: Barbara Aboitiz, Che Uy, Dennis Uy, Joanna Lhuillier, Miguel Aboitiz and Jaime Ponce de Leon.
‘Eternal Bloom’ 2024, 46,950 glass beads, three large Python skins, 86 fish skins, 36 chicken feet skins, abalone shell frame, 840 hours, 24" x 24" (61 cm x 61 cm).
‘Euphoria’ 2024, 328,468 class beads, abalone shell frame, stainless steel, 2,860 hours, 33x33" (84cm x 84cm).
‘Optical Allure’ 2024, 108,000 class beads, blacktab and kabibe shell frame, 1,476 hours, 33" x 33" (84 cm x 84 cm).
‘Heart-Strong’ 2024, 38,250 glass beads, 11 chicken feet skins, stainless steel and class, 408 hours, 58" (147 cm) (height) and 15" (38 cm) in (base).
‘Heart of the Garden’ 2024, 177,930 class beads, 30 fish skins, hammer shell frame, stainless steel, 1,176 hours, 32" x 42" (81 cm x 107 cm).
‘Divine Innocence’ 2024, 15,810 class beads, 15 frog skins, kabibe shell frame, brass, 198 hours, 21" x 21" (53 cm x 53 cm).
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Born in faraway London, Joanna Lhuillier’s creative journey began many moons ago, across several oceans and continents — all within the ritzy world of fashion.
As the romantic visionary behind her own brand, she designed exquisite bags and bewitching fashion accessories made from natural materials, which graced the curated escaparates of lifestyle resorts, highly-anticipated world fairs, and international expos of importance.
But Lhuillier’s story didn’t stop there. Constantly evolving as an artist of worth, she earnestly drew from a lifetime of rich influences. Growing up in a family of designers, her artistry was nurtured by both her parents’ creative spirits. With a background in Interior Design and work experiences in America, Singapore and Hong Kong, she keenly honed her ability to nimbly blend form and function with aesthetic beauty.
Today, this harmonious evolution culminates in her latest collection entitled Living Color — a breathtaking exploration of beadwork and sculptures.
Handsomely influenced by family, friends, travels, and the world around her, Lhuillier finds beauty in people and places, and fleeting, yet memorable moments. Her art transforms unconventional materials — fish scales, exotic skins and glass beads — into profound, textured masterpieces.
Here are some standouts from the recent showcase at the Leon Gallery’s Maison and Joaillerie:
Crafted from 46,950 glass beads, exotic skins, and an abalone shell frame, Eternal Bloom is a radiant homage to learning and growth. Spanning 840 hours of labor, the artwork captures a hibiscus in full bloom, its vibrant petals standing out against a soft, monochrome background. The flower becomes a metaphor for the beauty of discovery — each petal unfolding as layers of knowledge come to light.
In Checkmate Love, a textured heart takes center stage within a stark, checkered border. Using 22,950 glass beads, fish skins, and shell frames, Lhuillier explores the duality of love as both a risk and a surrender. The artwork, completed in 348 hours, reflects the vulnerability and strength inherent in human relations. The interplay of organic and geometric elements suggests that love, though complex, remains deeply rooted in sincerity.
Optical Allure is a mesmerizing study in perception and tension. A beaded black tarantula — which challenges the viewer to embrace surprise and ambiguity in the journey of life — disrupts the rhythmic grid of 108,000 beads, creating a dynamic interplay between allure and unease. With 1,476 hours of painstaking effort, the obra boasts of a shell frame adding depth and dimension.
Garden of Whispers is a dreamscape brought to life through 242,510 beads, shells, and stainless steel. The masterpiece took 1,956 hours to complete, presenting roses and paisley patterns in a delicate yet captivating dance. It invites viewers into an enchanted garden where every swirl and bloom narrates a story of wonder, inviting whispers of hidden secrets.
Resilience blossoms in Heart of the Garden. Using 177,930 beads, fish skins, and a shell frame, the floral eye candy embodies renewal and hope. Taking 1,176 hours to breathe life upon, it features a tapestry of petals and leaves, interspersed with bees and butterflies. It captures our ability after loss to flourish again, celebrating strength and the promise of new beginnings.
Standing at an impressive 58 inches, Heart-Strong is a towering tribute to the classic Filipino “can-do” spirit. Crafted from 38,250 beads, chicken feet skins, and steel, this 408-hour salute presents a steel casing which underscores strength, while its colorful patterns honor perseverance, heritage and pride.
Divine Innocence radiates simplicity and grace, depicting the Santo Niño through 15,810 beads, frog skins, and brass accents. The compact ode to the nation’s oldest religious icon, completed in 198 hours, glows with red hues and the shimmering shell’s tiny fragments.
Spanning — are you ready for this — 2,860 hours, Euphoria is an expansive vision of freedom. With — take a deep breath — 328,468 beads and an abalone shell frame, the burst of colors mimics the perspective of a bird soaring over kaleidoscopic landscapes. Each patch of land ripples with life, creating a stained-glass effect that celebrates the boundless beauty of the natural world. Are you wondering how it got its name?
Mabuhay, Leon Gallery! ¡Enhorabuena!, Joanna Lhuillier!
