"I sculpt flowers so they won't die; I have fallen in love with the boldness and fragility."
These are the words of artist Christine Sioco after being inspired by the immortal words of iconic Mexican artist Frida Kahlo who sought to immortalize the ephemeral beauty of spring blossoms in her work.
Known for her canvases splashed with vibrant colors and thought-provoking imagery, as well as delicate-looking bas-reliefs depicting mythical figures, Sioco joined the arts program at Crimson Resort and Spa Boracay last December as its third Artist in Residence. She officially took over from Je An "Govinda" Marquesto who held the position from 2022 to 2023.
Born in 1984, Sioco is a native of Oriental Mindoro, the only daughter among her parents' four children.
From an early age, she already showed great promise with regard to her creativity as she had a marked eye for beauty as well as a penchant for expressing herself in beautifully rendered images.
Following a stint at the Philippine High School for the Arts in Laguna, Sioco earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Technological University of the Philippines in 2005. She would later gain undergraduate credits in sculpture from the University of the Philippines.
Combining different artistic techniques to create her magnificent bas-relief pieces and gloriously brilliant sculptural canvases, she presents a strong point of view characterized by a studied mix of feminine delicacy, the resilience of the overseas Filipino worker, and the storied lore of local myth and legend, particularly that of her home province.
Sioco's work has been featured not only domestically, but also at exhibitions in Singapore and Dubai. More recently, one of her early acrylic on canvas pieces from 2013, titled "Breaking the Invisible Chain," was among the artwork auctioned in October 2023 at Leon Gallery.
Art Everyday
As Artist in Residence, Sioco handles the daily art sessions held at Crimson Boracay. The morning sessions are devoted to children's classes, while the afternoon sessions are for participants thirteen years of age and older.
Held from Wednesday to Saturday, these sessions are meant to help resort guests to bring out their more creative side even while they're on holiday. Likewise, the lessons are meant to help decrease the stresses of everyday living and boost the confidence and mental health of individual participants.
Visit www.crimsonhotel.com/boracay or follow @CrimsonBoracay on Facebook and Instagram for more information.