The skies and seas coalesce at ArtistSpace

At the heart of the tiny yet bustling Ayala Museum’s ArtistSpace unfolded a compelling artistic conversation between earth’s two great frontiers — the sky above and the ocean below. Conceptualized and realized by visual artists Kenver Resuello and Philipp Ines, the two collaborated hand-in-hand for a singular message which resonated with the gallery: To conserve our environment. The recent two-man exhibition, courtesy of Dr. Joven Cuanang's Pintô Art Museum and Arboretum, was aptly titled As Above, So Below.

Kenver, who balances a 24-hours-is-not-enough-in-a-day life between medicine and art, is currently a Nuclear Medicine resident at St. Luke’s Medical Center Global City in Taguig City. He finds creative grounding in painting.

Philipp, on the other hand, is a full-time artist who dedicates hour after hour each day to painting. At night, he reflects and ponders upon new ideas.

Focused on the sky or the “above,” Kenver showcased dramatic skyscapes rich in color and flush with light. These atmospheric landscapes, often mirrored by tranquil waters, evoked the vastness and beauty of open spaces.

In contrast, Philipp painted the “below” in vibrant underwater scenes filled with fish, turtles, coral reefs, aquatic plants and anemones. His pieces celebrated the ocean as the origin of life, as he histed at human presence through subtle elements like goggles and watchful eyes. His marine still life transformed sea plants into serene, botanical-inspired compositions.

Both Kenver and Philipp credit their provincial upbringing for their artistic journeys, where early encounters with nature and culture deeply shaped their creative outlook.

“I’ve always been drawn to landscapes,” Kenver reflected. “Growing up in Pangasinan, I’ve been captivated by the beauty of nature — the skies, the mountains, the seas. I incorporate gestural elements into my artworks to convey the deeper concepts and emotions that the scenes evoke.”

Philipp recalled a pivotal childhood memory: “In third grade, my cousin took me to the Vargas Museum. That’s where I first laid my eyes on Fernando Amorsolo’s work. His paintings looked just like the place I grew up in — a rural setting, full of light, with vibrant color, and bursting with life. That moment awakened my passion for art and where I come from.”

In this collaborative show, the duo highlighted the contrasts and similarities between the two massive, vast bodies. 

“We explored the interconnectedness of the sky and the underwater world,” Kenver said. “They are also a reflection of our feelings and consequently our actions and demeanor.”

For Philipp, the exhibit was also a call to care for the environment. 

“The images and colors bring peace to the mind and soul,” he explained. “It’s our way of inspiring people to protect nature.”

These were best exemplified through pieces such as The Dance of Water and Sky by Kenver, and Kalikasan ang Ngalan ng Pag-ibig by Philipp. The two penned down separate inspiring poems in English and Filipino, respectively, which spurred guests to act.

Both artists drew deeply from nature as their central muse. 

“Nature was my biggest inspiration,” shared Kenver. “I’m fascinated by the way light moves across the sky, the complexity of natural elements, the ever-changing panorama.”

Philipp found peace and purpose in natural settings and often sought quiet places to reflect. “I’m surrounded by people who inspire me to create with clarity and meaning.”

Let’s hear more on their experiences:

Exhibit preparation

Kenver: “It was both challenging and exciting. I spent months refining our concepts. I worked through reference photographs I’d taken over the years. I sketched and experimented with different techniques to bring our ideas to life. It was a process of discovery — not just about the art itself, but on the themes we explored.”

Philipp: “As the ‘below,’ I dove into the depths to see the various life forms in the ocean world. Its colors gave me hope to share their captivating beauty. These elements are part of humanity and must be protected and cared for.”

Favorite 'As Above, So Below' piece

Kenver: “One of my favorites is a piece called So Our Storms Shall Pass, which depicts a sunset over Lingayen Gulf in Pangasinan. A distant raincloud is slowly enveloping the sky, and the contrast between the warm rays of the sunset and the cold, dark raincloud really represents the exhibit’s mission — how the elements, though separate, are always interconnected, each with its own power.”

Philipp: “Travelling Together. The approach is very symbolic
— each element is given importance, and even if progress is slow, by traveling together, it leads to greater success. This is similar to our campaign for the environment. Many ignore the damage to our surroundings. Our advocacy to promote love for nature remains strong, and little by little, we will achieve positive results.”

Most moving art piece

Kenver: “Claude Monet’s Water Lilies series has always captivated me. The way he captured light, reflections, and the ever-changing nature of water with such fluidity and grace is truly inspiring. It reminds me that art doesn’t have to be a direct representation; it can evoke a feeling and connect on a more emotional level.”

Philipp: “The Dream by Henri Rousseau. In 2018, when we had a show, I initially witnessed it at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The details of the subject matter, and the blend of warm and cool colors were meticulously executed. The distribution of elements was balanced and well composed, featuring flora and fauna in a jungle setting. I related to this painting because I grew up in the province. Since then, I’ve wanted to create works similar to Rousseau’s. My inspired piece was exhibited at Pintô Art Museum in 2023 under the title A Call for Heroes.”

Future projects

Kenver: “Right now, I’m focused on my training in Nuclear Medicine at St. Luke’s Global City. However, I also have plans to expand my medical practice to reach underserved communities in Pangasinan. I’m likewise involved with the Pintô Art Museum’s Foundation, particularly with its scholarship program for arts and sciences. This helps talented but underprivileged individuals to pursue their dreams in visual arts and medicine. I’m busy conceptualizing my next art exhibit, which will focus on environmental conservation and humanity’s connection to nature.”

Philipp: “Currently, I’m preparing for upcoming solo and group exhibitions. I plan to further strengthen environmental awareness as a theme. I also aim to be part of and support the programs and projects of Pintô Art Museum and Arboretum in the future.”