Finding beauty in the folds at Conrad Manila’s Creases art gallery exhibition

The 40th edition of ‘Of Art and Wine’ features a surgeon’s touch, turning acrylic and resin into three-dimensional expressions of feminine resilience.

At first glance, the works in Creases can feel almost uniform—folded, textured surfaces that resemble crumpled sheets caught mid-motion. But step closer, and each piece begins to open up in detail. Lines deepen, colors catch the light differently, and what seemed repetitive reveals itself as something more layered and personal.

Now on view at Conrad Manila’s Gallery C, Creases marks the 40th edition of the hotel’s Of Art and Wine series. The exhibition features 20 mixed-media works by artist and obstetrician-gynecologist Meneline Wong, whose practice sits between painting and sculptural form.

Wong’s pieces are not made of fabric, despite what many might assume at first glance. “It’s acrylic with resin,” she said. “People think it’s cloth, but it’s not.” The effect is intentional; each work mimics folded material yet holds its shape through hardened layers, creating a balance between softness and structure.

From flat canvases to dimensional forms

Wong did not begin with this kind of work. Her earlier practice focused on two-dimensional surfaces until the pandemic created space for experimentation and slower, more exploratory work.

“I had time to try things out,” she said. “It started with paper, then evolved. This is probably my fifth revision already.”

What followed was a long process of testing materials, building layers, and refining technique. Moving into three-dimensional work required patience and repetition, with many attempts that did not make it to completion. Over time, her approach became more structured. Today, each piece takes weeks to finish, following a sequence she now follows consistently—painting first, then constructing the form.

The result is a body of work that sits between painting and sculpture. Wong describes it simply as mixed media, though the works lean strongly toward sculptural expression.

There is also a deliberate visual continuity across the series. From a distance, the works appear almost identical. Up close, individual details begin to emerge, revealing subtle differences in texture, color, and form. “It’s like a signature,” Wong said. “I want people to recognize it as mine.”

What the folds carry

The idea behind Creases is direct, but it resonates in layers. The folds and ridges seen throughout the series are meant to reflect human experience—struggles, failures, and the quiet weight of everyday life.

“If you look at just one part, it looks like crumpled paper,” Wong said. “That’s like our hardships. But when you step back and see the whole, that’s what makes it beautiful.”

Mounted during Women’s Month, the exhibition also draws attention to strength and resilience. Metallic tones run through the works, paired with softer pastel hues. For Wong, the contrast is intentional. The pastels suggest finesse and lightness, while the metallics introduce a sense of strength and presence.

Despite the layered concept, the works remain visually uplifting. Wong describes herself as naturally cheerful, and that sensibility comes through in the palette and energy of the pieces. “I want people to feel light, to feel happy when they see them,” she said. Some works even respond to blacklight, revealing glowing details that add a playful dimension to the experience.

A later beginning, and creative freedom

Wong’s entry into art did not follow a traditional path. She began painting only in 2017, joining a friend for a casual session. Not long after, she entered the GSIS National Art Competition and placed second—becoming the first woman to win in that category.

“At first, I thought there was a mistake,” she said, laughing.

Her background in medicine continues to shape her approach. As a practicing OB-GYN, art remains separate from her livelihood, and that distance allows her to work without commercial pressure.

“I can do what I want,” she said. “There’s no pressure.”

That freedom shows in her process. She is spontaneous, intuitive, and open to experimentation. It also points toward what may come next. Wong is considering moving further into fully sculptural work, removing the canvas entirely and focusing on form alone.

For now, Creases stands as a reflection of where she is in her practice: still experimenting, still refining, and still drawn to the idea that what appears imperfect may, in fact, hold the most character.

The exhibition is on view at Gallery C, Conrad Manila, until June 2026.

 

 

At Gallery C of Conrad Manila, Creases by OB-GYN and artist Meneline Wong brings together 20 mixed-media works that explore imperfection, resilience, and transformation through folded, sculptural forms that blur the line between painting and installation.

 

 

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