Therese Cruz
Anting-Anting
Artist Statement
It has always been an interest of me to create a series of jewelery that depicts ancient Filipino jewelery, whether it is a direct representation or a modern interpretation. This particular theme sparked an interest in me because as a Filipino-Canadian who grew up in the Philippines, I still practice each and every gesture presented (pasalubong, pabaon and padala). These gestures are no doubt distinctly Filipino. My fascination for the functional arts inspired me to integrate these ideas into wearable pieces of jewelery that would be quite symbolic to the wearer. I will incorporate the idea of the anting-anting, not only because it was an integral part of Filipino history and folklore, but also the fact that it is still used to this day in certain parts of the Philippines as an amulet, charm, etc.
Artist Biography
For Therese Cruz, pursuing a career in jewelery started as a childhood hobby in the Philippines collecting ‘fancy’ costume jewelery given to her by her father. When she moved to Canada, it gradually developed into a liking for art and design as a whole, and the technical aspects related to it. It pushed her to get into George Brown College’s Jewelery Arts program right after high school. According to her, what is enjoyable about being in the field is the whole background work that leads into a wearable art piece.
“I explore the different dimensions and expressions created by lines. The pieces I create are a multitude of rather geometric forms, with a contrast of matte and high-polished finishes. I consider my jewelery miniature sculptures displayed on the body.”
Therese currently resides in downtown Toronto.
Therese Cruz
Anting-Anting
Artist Statement
It has always been an interest of me to create a series of jewelery that depicts ancient Filipino jewelery, whether it is a direct representation or a modern interpretation. This particular theme sparked an interest in me because as a Filipino-Canadian who grew up in the Philippines, I still practice each and every gesture presented (pasalubong, pabaon and padala). These gestures are no doubt distinctly Filipino. My fascination for the functional arts inspired me to integrate these ideas into wearable pieces of jewelery that would be quite symbolic to the wearer. I will incorporate the idea of the anting-anting, not only because it was an integral part of Filipino history and folklore, but also the fact that it is still used to this day in certain parts of the Philippines as an amulet, charm, etc.
Artist Biography
For Therese Cruz, pursuing a career in jewelery started as a childhood hobby in the Philippines collecting ‘fancy’ costume jewelery given to her by her father. When she moved to Canada, it gradually developed into a liking for art and design as a whole, and the technical aspects related to it. It pushed her to get into George Brown College’s Jewelery Arts program right after high school. According to her, what is enjoyable about being in the field is the whole background work that leads into a wearable art piece.
“I explore the different dimensions and expressions created by lines. The pieces I create are a multitude of rather geometric forms, with a contrast of matte and high-polished finishes. I consider my jewelery miniature sculptures displayed on the body.”
Therese currently resides in downtown Toronto.