“Masterpieces In Motion” will be highlighting the fashion of Michael Cinco and the art of Bing Taojo in a silent auction.
Salcedo Auctions will feature the couture creations of international fashion designer Michael Cinco and the canvas works of Davao society’s visual artist Caroline “Bing” Taojo. Titled Masterpieces in Motion, the silent auction co-presented by Arthaland will unfold this coming Sunday (December 8, 2024).
The invitational event will also be opened by J. Paul Getty Museum curator Paul Martineau. While he frequently visits Manila, few people outside of serious photography and art circles know of Martineau’s outstanding work as a curator and author of various art and photography books, including Imogen Cunningham: A Retrospective and Herb Ritts: L.A. Style, to name a few. On December 8, he will also be giving a talk about the world-renowned Getty Museum and its exhibition and collection programs.
As the event’s special guest, Martineau will open the exhibition by showcasing the unique collaborative work of Cinco and Taojo with high fashion, painting, and the images that intersect with his curatorial practice.
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Painted Florals
An optometrist by profession, Taojo is a self-taught artist who started painting on textiles in her twenties, encouraged by an aunt who was also creatively inclined.
“Art materials were limited,” Taojo recalls in a statement, “So I bought textile paint—the material available in Tagum back then. At that time, I used Chinese bamboo brushes to paint.”
Art would take a backseat as she became a full-time housewife to businessman Noe “Butchoy” Taojo, with whom she raised four children. Many years later, she would pick up her brushes again, painting during her off hours as the chief financial officer of the family business.
Masterpieces In Motion marks Taojo’s first show in Manila, as well as her first foray into a collaborative project. For the event, she painted on four of Cinco’s designs, which include casual to evening wear. A section of the gallery will showcase her own works on canvas featuring various flowers—a favorite subject of the artist.
The Well Of Artistic Inspiration
For Cinco, the collaboration came at an opportune time, as he has started drawing inspiration from artists like Gustav Klimt. Masterpieces In Motion will feature 13 of his designs, including the four items with Taojo’s paintings.
The international designer created a range that shows the breadth of his work. Nine fabulous ballgowns, the hallmarks of the designer’s practice, are up for silent bidding. Four more flexible pieces, fit for formal or more casual occasions, accompany the ballgowns.
Looking at the clothes, it’s no wonder he has become a favorite of beauty queens and global celebrities who’ve worn his show-stopping designs for their red carpet walks and on-stage performances.
His clientele include music superstars like Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Mariah Carey, Kylie Minogue, Lady Gaga, Lil Nas X, and Nick Jonas, to name a few—as well as television and film greats like Sofia Vergara, James McAvoy, Mila Kunis, Bollywood’s Deepika Padukone, Salman Khan, and Norah Fateh—who shimmered in Cinco’s design while performing at the finale of the FIFA World Cup closing ceremony in Qatar back in 2022.
But one particular design was a historical feat: in 2017, Cinco created the wedding dress for Swarovski heiress Victoria Swarovski, breaking records with a one million dollar gown (reportedly the world’s most expensive to date) that made waves online and across international media outlets.
With thirteen Michael Cinco creations being made available to a select clientele without having to fly to Dubai and twenty of Bing Taojo’s increasingly sought-after paintings making their Manila debut, Masterpieces in Motion promises to be a scintillating Philippine arts and culture year-ender.
For inquiries, email [email protected] or phone +63917 1075581. For updates, follow @salcedoauctions on Instagram and Facebook.
Photos courtesy of Salcedo Auctions (Illustrations by Michael Cinco and painting by Bing Taojo).
