Sacred visions

A striking collection of 56 Marian paintings by 13 multi-talented Filipino artists, whose journeys span corporate boardrooms, law, business, banking, philanthropy, education, writing, and the visual arts, will be featured in the fundraising exhibition Maria Regina: Grace in Blue – Portraits in Peace, opening Sept. 10 at the Mall of Asia Sanctuary.

For months, this community of contemporary artists gathered regularly at Sunshine Place in Jupiter, Makati, united by one purpose: to honor Mary through art. Proceeds from the exhibition will support the construction of an adoration chapel at St. Francis Church in Mandaluyong and the rehabilitation of the Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine in Quezon City.

Exhibition lead artist Carol Llanillo, a lawyer-turned-painter trained in Chinese brush techniques, poured her devotion into the project, creating 20 oil paintings portraying Mary in different expressions and moments of contemplation.

“My goal is to move beyond mere likeness, seeking instead to evoke the virtues of tenderness, humility, strength, sorrow, and patience,” Llanillo says. “Each painting is a visual prayer—a bridge between an enduring love for art and a commitment to service.”

At the heart of the exhibition is Master Fidel Sarmiento, president of the Art Association of the Philippines and mentor of the Sunshine Place artists. Moving beyond familiar Western Marian imagery, Sarmiento presents a vision rooted in Filipino identity, encouraging his students to discover their own visual language while remaining faithful to the spirit of the Blessed Mother.

Conchitina Bernardo’s ‘Mama Mary’ is displayed at the exhibit

Alongside him is fellow master artist Robert Fernandez, whose mentorship helped nurture a creative community where friendship and artistic growth flourish together.

For Rica Rosario Ong, the inspiration came from a deeply personal pilgrimage.

“Last May, I was blessed with the opportunity to travel to Turkey, where I visited Ephesus, traditionally believed to be the home where the Blessed Virgin Mary spent the final years of her earthly life,” she recalls.

“My devotion to Mama Mary has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. Looking back, I realized that the prayers I once thought had gone unanswered were actually answered according to God’s perfect timing.”

Fernandez explores the relationship between tradition and contemporary expression.

Robert Fernandez’s masterpiece ‘Gentle Grace’

“My work seeks to create a bridge between eras,” he explains. “By combining meticulously detailed classical figure painting with unexpected modern elements, I wanted to show that devotion is both timeless and deeply rooted in our contemporary world.”

Vicky Pollisco expresses Mary’s presence through sweeping bands of color and fluid abstraction.

“Through these vibrant forms, I wanted to capture the unconditional protection, tenderness, and sacred strength of motherhood,” she says. “Mary remains an enduring symbol of refuge in an ever-changing world.”

After 35 years in banking, Ed Ramos embraced painting full-time, rediscovering a lifelong passion. His works build luminosity through layers of cobalt turquoise, teal, gold, and shadow.

“I achieved depth by allowing darker tones to become the foundation from which light emerges,” Ramos explains. “My paintings are reflections of my experiences, my appreciation for beauty, and my continuing journey of discovering who I am as an artist.”

Joyce Ashworth’s geometric compositions explore Mary’s life through overlapping planes symbolizing joy, sorrow, sacrifice, and unwavering faith.

‘Blessed Mother’ by Joyce Ashworth

“What may appear fragmented is intentional,” Ashworth says. “The overlapping forms symbolize the many joys, sorrows, and challenges that shaped Mary’s life. Together, they form a unified whole, reflecting her unwavering faith and complete trust in God’s plan.”

Beyond the canvases, the exhibition reflects the spirit of Sunshine Place itself—a community where artists gather to learn, encourage one another, and continue creating well into their senior years.

As Sunshine Place manager Gilda Reyes observes, the friendships formed inside the studio have become as meaningful as the artworks.

“Through shared interests and the time they spend together, our artists have developed warm and meaningful relationships that bring them happiness and a sense of belonging,” Reyes says.

More than an exhibition of sacred art, “Maria Regina: Grace in Blue – Portraits in Peace” is a celebration of faith, creativity, and community. The 56 paintings are not merely portraits of Mary, but reflections of the artists’ own journeys—of passions renewed, second callings discovered, and faith expressed through every brushstroke.

The exhibition also features works by Loida Tan, Conchitina Bernardo, Len Fernandez, Erlinda Flores, Vicky Lopez, and other participating artists, each contributing a distinctive interpretation of Marian devotion.

The exhibition runs from Sept. 10 to Oct. 7 at the Mall of Asia Sanctuary. — Veronica Velosoyap Wuson