Gem, a Chinese-Filipino residing in the Philippines, embraces her multicultural background. Born and raised in the Philippines, she was fortunate to receive a quality education and the freedom to explore her passions.
From an early age, Gem's vivid imagination was fueled by cartoons, anime, comics, and manga. In a time before widespread internet access and digital gaming consoles, she kept herself engaged by crafting, drawing, writing, and immersing herself in books. As an artist, Gem always sought to venture beyond the ordinary. She pursued a major in Advertising Arts at a prestigious university, but her most cherished role was designing toys and premiums for diverse consumer brands. Gem is also a proud mother of two, considering her children her greatest creations.
To Gem, everything that people experience holds artistic value. Artists possess personal preferences and standards, finding pleasure and connection in what resonates with them. Design, in Gem's eyes, is a purposeful act of artistic creation. It represents a specific form-for-function, and she finds excitement in the evolving challenges it presents.
Gem believes that art, like nature and nurture, is organic and inherently holds beauty and energy. Design, on the other hand, possesses a rationale and a deeper meaning—a "why" behind its existence. Design can be shaped, molded, and crafted with artistic intent. While individual tastes may vary, art will always have a presence. When art and design harmoniously converge, the result is a successful creation.
The Inspiration behind the Collection
Gem derives immense joy from creating things that bring happiness to people's lives. Whether it's doodling on new materials or crafting a quick comic with a humorous caption, her art is a means of sharing positive energy with others. She once crafted a book for her children when they were learning to read. Recently, inspired by a pair of sunglasses, she adorned an unused pair of shoes with baroque filigree designs during the pandemic.
Gem's natural inclination is to infuse her art with a sense of warmth and delight. The "Cute Critters and Creatures" collection pays homage to her spontaneous doodles, where she created characters intended to stand alone as stuffed toys or serve as comforting companions, evoking a sense of nostalgia and childlike wonder. These characters are meant to be visually enjoyed and, hopefully, invoke a range of emotions in those who encounter them.
