“Pares Pares,” a group art exhibition of seven pairs of artist-couples, is on show in Liongoren gallery till Jan. 7. The show is meant to celebrate Christmas and the 31st-year anniversary of the gallery.

Participating artists are the enduring couple Norma Belleza and Angelito Antonio, still wielding their paintbrushes as they did some 50 years ago; Plet Bolipata, a gifted painter and sculptor, recent honoree of the Ateneo Library of Women’s Writings, and husband Elmer Borlongan; Tessy and Jon Pettyjohn, acknowledged guru to two generations of potters; multifaceted artist Noell El Farol, who continues to merge the world of archeology and sculpture, and Mervy Pueblo; Clairelynn Uy and Jojo Lofranco, whose recent shows displayed creative wit,  infusing their canvases with commentaries on pop culture; Pam Yan Santos and husband John, who, in between art-making  and  caring for their babies, have a punching bag for de-stressing; and Marina Cruz and Rodel Tapaya, who work in spacious individual studios bigger than their dwellings in both Hagonoy and Tabang, Bulacan.

“Pares Pares” attempts to tackle questions and observations regarding the dynamics that each pair undergoes in the creation of their artwork, how they keep their balance in the process, and how art merges with the intricacies of marriage and their life as artist couples. This is amply supported in the photo documentary by Erik Liongoren of the artist couples’ lives in their studios.