People by Design: Miguel Rosales

We chat with art consultant Migs Rosales to discover his curating process, artistic desires, and how he collected the pieces that now deck the halls and walls of Shangri-La at the Fort.

Miguel Rosales | Photo courtesy of Rosales

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But here is one discerning “eye,” in particular, belonging to one such cognoscenti that is so revered and trusted by corporate clientele, gallery owners and private individuals alike, that his reputation heralds a stronghold on the art scene unlike no other.

Said eye belongs to renowned art consultant, Miguel “Migs” Rosales, whose passion and raison d’être is to curate beautiful things for a range of spaces, one recent project being that of the Shangri-La at the Fort. Here, the owner and mastermind behind Caramel, Inc. talks about what keeps his creative cogs turning.

Philippine Tatler: What was your thought and creative process when tackling the Shangri-La at the Fort space?

MR: We wanted to come up with a program that would highlight artworks in different media from predominantly local artists that would challenge them to produce works that expounded on what they’re known to do. We conceived a collection of works that supported Shangri-La at The Fort heralding their new look which is quite a departure from their previous addresses.

PT: What do you enjoy cultivating collections for most (museums, galleries, art shows, hotels or for private collections/collectors) and why?

MR: I find them all good projects to do as they each have their own challenges. What we consider before taking on a project is how interesting it can be. We love learning from projects and growing with our clients.

PT: If there was one piece of art in the world you could possess, what would it be and who by?

MR: This would be impossible to pin down to just one work as I am inspired by different works at different times. Perhaps it would be Brancusi’s Bird In Space today. It’s incredibly timeless and beyond beautiful.

Bird in Space (1923) by Constantin Brancusi
Marble, 56 3/4 x 6 1/2 in. (144.1 x 16.5 cm) (with base)
© 2016 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

PT: Whose art collection would you most want to have?

MR: Marcel Crespo’s; I heard he’s leaving it to me anyway. Haha! Seriously though, it would be Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Berge’s collection. One of the most incredible ever assembled. Interestingly, they had a Hispano-Philippine ivory head of Christ displayed on their living room coffee table.

PT: What are the key factors to consider when deciding to go to an art show or gallery?

MR: Really look. Try to listen. It’s about the works, not the schmoozing. Though the after parties can be fun!

PT: In curating pieces for a show or gallery, what is the thought process behind creating the theme?

MR: We try to formulate a way to convey the idea or message the show is trying to deliver. We try out different ideas until we come up with the right option.

PT: What current key trends do you see in the local art scene and what trends do you foresee over the next five years?

MR: I don’t really believe in buying into trends. One trend that I do hope diminishes soon is the current one for buying art at ridiculous prices for works that don’t merit them. A lot of people jumped into the art buying bandwagon recently, paying way too much, thinking they’re making good ‘investments’ without doing their research.

PT: Who are some of the international artists you hope would do a show or be showcased in the Philippines?

MR: Again there would be so many that would be amazing to show here. It would be great if our museums and galleries can again host artists from abroad to create more dialogue and interaction with our artists. That said, I would love to be able to expose our truly talented artists to a wider audience and help give them a better platform to share their vision. Some foreign galleries are partnering up with local galleries bringing our artists outside and some even opening up here in the near future which will be great for the local scene.

PT: Which art gallery/galleries in the Philippines would you say is/are the benchmark as to the quality of the collections featured?

MR: There are so many galleries in Manila these days. They each have their own merits. I tend to frequent the galleries that offer thought provoking shows and quality works, avoiding the overtly commercial ones that regurgitate the same works endlessly. Blanc Gallery, The Drawing Room, Silverlens, Pablo Gallery are some that I love looking at. Lately some new small galleries have opened up that I am trying to find time to visit.