AT HER grandmother’s home in Makati one afternoon, Madrid-born Cristina Grisar finds herself surrounded by local journalists eager to know more about her and her artistic works from various disciplines—jewelry, painting, photography.

“I feel more a painter and jeweler. I’m a photographer because I’m a painter,” Grisar says.

Regardless of how she brands herself (with one writer chiming in how a marketing nightmare she’d be because of her diverse preoccupations), Grisar admits she has always had the passion to create no matter the discipline. As a child, she would make jewelry out of ceramic; and she would paint simply because it was a family legacy.

Her grandmother is Betsy Westendorp, recipient of the Philippine Presidential Medal Merit for Art and Culture whose series of barong-barong paintings earned acclaim from renowned Spanish art critic Carlos Arean.

“She is a living inspiration,” Grisar says. “She has left a huge legacy on our family. It is a great challenge to emulate her, or even keep up with her rhythm. Lola for me is the true representation of a strong woman. For as long as I can remember, she has always been working, painting in her studio.”

Beautiful profession

Grisar’s mother Sylvia and aunt Carmen are also painters, so art is nothing new to her.

Does she feel burdened in any way by her artistic lineage? Not at all, she says, explaining that competition has always been with herself.

“I am my only judge,” she adds.

While she may not worry about comparisons to other artists, she is terrified with the idea of exposing herself, her character, and, to an extent, her belief through her works.

“I put my life in every painting, every jewelry, every photography,” she says. “I’m really shy… with my art. I think it is the most personal thing.

“Art, it’s a beautiful profession. It’s the most gratifying but the most horrible also because it’s so frustrating. Sometimes I go to bed too many days frustrated by my human limitations. I want to make many things and I need so much time.”

At 33, Grisar has had several group exhibits in Chile, where she has been based for over 10 years. It is there where she earned her Master in Advanced Design from Universidad Católica.

Concept of jewel

This month, she will have her first solo exhibition in Manila featuring her multidisciplinary art. “The Bejewelled Cosmos” features her latest works in photography, abstract painting and contemporary jewelry.

“My jewels are born within the framework of art jewelry or designer jewelry,” she says. “The ‘concept of jewel’ is a key element to comprehend my work, inherently tied to the magical and metaphysical character which a certain object acquires—be it a painting or a jewel itself—after an alchemical process in its conception where the matter is transformed into a precious entity, vivified and meaningful.”

Grisar, who first came to Manila in 2010, says she always imagined her solo debut to be held here.

“My mother was born and raised in Manila until the age of 12 and it is through her that I learned about the Philippines,” she says. “I grew up listening to her childhood stories. So, in the end, it’s an emotional matter, and I guess a destiny thing, too. Isn’t it amazing when your dreams come true?”

The opening reception of “The Bejewelled Cosmos” will be on Feb. 12, 6 p.m., at The Artist Space, 2/F Glass Wing, Ayala Museum, Makati. The show is on view until Feb. 28.

 E-mail the author at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @dxmatilla.