Filipino visual artist Glenn Perez is known for his serene yet powerful abstract art, but his path to the canvas is as compelling as his work. A pastel artist who first forged a successful career in engineering and management, Glenn brings a unique blend of structure, discipline, and pure intuition to his art. His recently concluded exhibit, “Caurum: Abstraction in Light, Motion, and Metal,” showcases this unique convergence, inviting viewers into a dialogue with light and suspended energy.

The exhibit title, “Caurum,” is a compound referencing copper and gold. It speaks directly about Glenn’s focus on metallic luminosity and depth. For him, the show is a continuation and deepening of his earlier exhibits.

“'Caurum' was created out of my continuing exploration of light, motion, and the quiet strength of metal (copper + aurim),” Glenn explains. “It follows my earlier exhibit ‘Aurumscape.’ In ‘Caurum,’ I wanted to go deeper to translate movement, flow, and energy into pure abstraction.”

Despite the dynamism of the work, the consistent element unifying the entire series is a philosophical one, “the balance between motion and stillness,” he shares,” that suspended moment where energy becomes calm.” This rhythmic quality is what gives the collection its distinctive, quiet pulse.

Glenn’s background is not just a footnote. It is a fundamental influence on his artistic process. When asked how his experience in engineering and management influenced the concept and execution of his abstract works, his answer bridges the technical and the emotional.

“My engineering background influences the way I build my compositions. There’s structure, rhythm, and precision even in abstraction,” Glenn notes. “Years in management taught me discipline, planning, and attention to process, while my exposure to materials and mechanics shaped how I understand texture, density, and motion.”

The final works are a fusion of these worlds. He describes his approach as one where both mind and heart are at work: “I work with layers of metallic pigments and fluid strokes, allowing both control and spontaneity to coexist. It’s where the technical and emotional meet, where analysis turns into art."

Glenn’s philosophy extends beyond the canvas into his role as a dedicated supporter of the art community. Having transitioned from the corporate world himself, he offers practical advice for those contemplating a similar shift toward creative work.

“My advice is to start where you are and stay consistent, learn, explore, and be humble enough to grow.” Ultimately, he concludes, “creativity thrives when you listen to both heart and process.”

He also addresses the vital need for communal support, identifying one of the biggest challenges for emerging artists: sustaining a creative career amid limited institutional support. His solution is clear: “Collaboration rather than competition is key. When artists uplift one another, we all move the community forward."

As for the audience, the artist hopes his work acts as a restorative force. “I hope viewers feel a quiet energy, that sense of calm yet vibrant movement that mirrors nature itself,” he says. “My wish for them is to experience serenity, reflection, and perhaps a renewed appreciation for the subtleties of light and form.”

Following the completion of the “Caurum” series, Glenn is already looking ahead, confirming his intention to “continue exploring abstraction through different mediums and materials, possibly moving toward mixed media and sculptural works where light and structure continue to converse in new ways.”