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Young arts

Published Mar 12, 2022 11:47 am

Patrick Cuna, Filipino luxury executive in Paris, mounts painting exhibit at historic Hotel Prince de Galles

THE ARTIST Patrick Cuna

At the age of seven, Patrick Cuna picked up the brush and started painting. It was just a hobby inspired by his uncle, artist and “floral architect of the Philippines” Rachy Cuna. Around the same time, we were in Hong Kong together and we spent one afternoon walking around a luxury mall, in which he would read aloud the words on the storefronts and I would teach him how to pronounce them—Balenciaga, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Chanel, maybe even Ann Demeulemeester.

Fast forward to Patrick wrapping up his college education at Ateneo de Manila University and winning a prized internship at Louis Vuitton here in Manila. He so loved his job that he did it so well he ended up getting hired, even before he earned his college degree. He spent four years at Louis Vuitton Philippines before leaving for Paris to pursue his MBA in Luxury.

I don’t know how long he’s been in Paris, but I’m surprised to learn he is a grown man now. To me, he is still the seven-year-old I used to teach to pronounce Louboutin as loo-boo-tahn and Givenchy as zjee-von-shee. He has for a while back been working under the global strategy arm of LVMH, the mother company of Louis Vuitton, and a slew of other lifestyle labels, such as many of those that Patrick tried to pronounce correctly in Hong Kong with me, the likes of Dior, Fendi, and Loewe…

Patrick is turning 30 on March 18. From LVMH, he has returned to Louis Vuitton, but this time in the Paris headquarters, in which he has been appointed events manager for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. From Paris, in order to fulfill his mandate, he will have to travel the world many times a year.

As he turns a new page entering a new decade in his life, Patrick has also revived a hobby he used to enjoy so much—painting. On his birthday, on March 18, he is unveiling a new collection, “Patriquè—Geometric Patterns and Unparalleled Stories,” at the 93-year-old Hotel Prince de Galles on Avenue George V in the French capital.

Like old times, or even just a few years back when I saw him in Paris before the pandemic, Patrick and I take some time to talk about his art and how it reflects his life and the world around him. Here’s a snippet of our conversations.

SENERITY Amethyst, oil on canvas (2021)

Why Patriquè?

Patriquè is my alter-ego, the dreaming artist who’s always wanted to tell his story. 

What drove you back to painting, to create this collection?

The pandemic. I realized life is short, and now that I am turning 30, I would like it to be meaningful. I am not only sharing my art story for the first time, but I am also sharing part of the proceeds to charity, close to my heart.

‘All my artworks are fine oil on linen canvas. I never use brushes, only palette knives. The various palette knife shapes challenge me a lot to work on unique movements and strokes.’

And you’re also busy on the career front, with your move to Louis Vuitton. How long did it take you to complete this collection?

It took me roughly a year to complete all 18 pieces. I would paint in my spare time, in the off-hours, or on weekends. 

What’s it like doing this collection in terms of your creative process?

I don’t have a consistent creative process. There are times I get inspiration from my travels, from people, or even strong memories from my childhood. What I’ve done is I’ve transformed my apartment into an art studio. Most of the time, I paint on weekends or, if in the mood, I rush to my “art studio,” but always when I have free time when I’m not working.

Who are your influences?

My first influencer is my Uncle Rachy Cuna. He was the one who opened my eyes to art, flowers, fashion… In terms of art movements, I would consider myself a major in abstract expressionism, minor in geometric abstraction.

What phases of your life do these current paintings of yours reflect?

This collection is a combination of significant moments, striking places, and unforgettable people, all these things that make up my almost 30 years of life on earth. 

CUNA ON CANVAS Clockwise from top left: Jardin de Versaille (2021), Casa Celestina (2022), Labyrinth (2022), and Nunilon (2022)

What’s the dominant medium in this collection?

All my artworks are fine oil on linen canvas. I never use brushes, only palette knives. The various palette knife shapes challenge me a lot to work on unique movements and strokes. Funny enough, I never did professional painting classes. It’s seriously only been a pastime, a hobby since I was seven!

Does the Philippines or being a Filipino come out in your paintings, whether consciously or unconsciously?

Oh yes, of course. I would say I have a handful that are Filipino-influenced and inspired. Plus, of course, I am a Filipino, born and raised a Filipino. But according to my past-life reader, 11 out of my 19 past lives are Parisian, so the majority of the artworks are very much Français.

Too bad I can’t be in Paris to celebrate this milestone with you. Do you have any messages to your friends in Manila?

I’m sad that I will miss the presence of my dear family and friends from the Philippines, but I’m happy to have my Paris family and friends present on that day to celebrate life, art, and dreams.

I would like to acknowledge the presence of the Philippine Ambassador to France Junever Mahilum-West and my LVMH bosses, who will be there to mark this special occasion with me. I dedicate this event to my two late grandmothers, Pacita Zamora-Cuna and Nunilon Sales-Altamirano.

Related Tags

Patrick Cuna Louis Vuitton manila Philippines Arts
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