The grandson of legendary artist Joan Miró left a mark with his first-ever solo exhibit in the Philippines under León Gallery International.
León Gallery International recently hosted a landmark cultural event with the debut of Joan Punyet Miró: A Legacy Continued, the first-ever solo exhibit in the Philippines by the grandson of influential artist, Joan Miró, who revolutionized the art scene with his vibrant and surreal abstract works.
The artist himself was present during the exclusive preview, and unveiled his 10-piece collection titled L’Azur – A Homage to Mallarmé, a poetic and luminous extension of the Miró legacy that stands as his first-ever solo exhibition in Southeast Asia. The series of works was created entirely during his month-long stay in Manila, within the studio of León Gallery.
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Words From Joan Punyet Miró: Two Countries, One Creative Vision
Joan Punyet Miró gave a warm and reflective speech, discussing his deep appreciation for the country: “I love the Philippines. I am inspired. I feel very at home here—and I promise you, I will come back.” He also spoke about his time in El Nido, Palawan, where he spent several days immersed in the beauty of the islands—an experience that deeply informed the emotional and visual tone of the works.
The evening flowed with Spanish wines provided by event partners Embajada de España en Filipinas and Instituto Cervantes, while the mood transitioned into a spirited celebration with live DJ Ornussa Cadness’s set beginning at 8 PM and extending the fun well past 11 PM.
A Memorable Gathering
The exclusive preview drew a discerning crowd of more than 150 guests, including those from Manila’s art, design, and diplomatic circles. Among the esteemed attendees were architect Ed Calma, interior designer Anton Mendoza, art patron Esteban Peña Sy, and cultural advocate Vicki Zubiri.
The event was also graced by Meralco Foundation President Jeffrey Tarayao, Instituto Cervantes Director Francisco López, and distinguished members of the diplomatic corps including Spanish Ambassador Miguel Utray, Argentine Ambassador Ricardo Bocalandro, Brazilian Ambassador Gilberto Moura, Dutch Ambassador Mariele Geraedts, and Malaysian Ambassador Dato’ Abdul Malik Castelino.
Further enlivening the festivities were media personalities Tessa Prieto and Tim Yap, with appearances by Kim and Feli Atienza adding a touch of celebrity sparkle to the evening. The exhibit was presented by León Gallery founder Jaime Ponce de Leon, in collaboration with Adolfo Cayón, Director and Curator of Galería Cayón, and Monique Madsen of Modeme Creative Consulting, who led PR and event coordination.
More than a stunning collection of works, L’Azur–A Homage to Mallarmé is a significant moment in the cultural dialogue between Spain and the Philippines, bridging generations of artistic heritage with contemporary expression.
Photos courtesy of León Gallery International.
