December 1, 2023
FIFTH SOLO EXHIBIT. — “Expressions: Beauty of the Golden Swiss Alps and the Reflections of the City of Pines” is an ongoing exhibit until Dec. 31 at the Forest Lodge in Camp John Hay by Filipina-Swiss Claire Jaun-Torres (3rd from left, standing), which is her fifth exhibit since becoming a Pasakalye Group of Artists member and settling in Baguio City last year. — Contributed photo

Another exhibit of paintings by an Ilocos Sur native now full-time Baguio resident is ongoing in the city as a way of sharing her talent and helping in sustaining the city’s stature as a Unesco Creative City for crafts and folk art.

Claire Jaun-Torres, a Filipina Swiss and a member of the Pasakalye Group of Artists, has launched on Aug. 4 her fifth exhibit entitled “Expressions: Beauty of the Golden Swiss Alps and the Reflections of the City of Pines” at the Forest Lodge in Camp John Hay. The exhibit runs until Dec. 31.

At least nine select paintings of Torres are on display, which are some of her latest artworks since she launched her first solo exhibit also in Baguio last year when she decided to follow her passion for creativity through abstract art.

As its title depicts, Expressions showcases Torres’ rich background instilled by deep incursions from her roots in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur blended with the alpine climes of Switzerland where years of blossoming honed varied forms and shapes.

Torres said through this exhibit, she aims to be a liberating voice that goes beyond the confines of her art and share such freedom through advocacies that push new frontiers in the creative community of Baguio.

Some of her latest art pieces carry titles such as Alpine Flow, Lustrous, Overflow, Deep Affection, Glow, The Rise, and two versions of Sparkling Pebbles, all of which reflect the way she expresses, in her terms with an eye for perfection, her thoughts and take about the world she has so far experienced in the Philippines, her homeland, and years of settling with her family in Switzerland before going back home for good.

Torres in February worked with City Councilor Leandro Yangot in collaboration with the Sin-agi artists for the “Alpines: A Swiss-Baguio Art Fusion”, where they mounted a total of 40 paintings at the Manor, the proceeds of which were partly used to establish an art gallery at the Baguio City National High School in support to the budding art enthusiasts.

Torres also together with the Pasakalye Group of Artists was also invited to showcase her artworks during a summit of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development in Baguio City October last year, which she considered as an opportunity to encourage construction industry players to integrate arts in the promotion and marketing of their building projects, particularly in the interior design of the structures.

She had also mounted exhibits at the Podium Hotel, twice at The Manor, and in Metro Manila. – Hanna C. Lacsamana