Gregory Halili, an artist based in the Philippines, masterfully shapes anatomical features and cosmic phenomena using a remarkable array of materials: coral, shells, agates, and more. His intricate sculptures reveal the delicate beauty hidden within these natural elements. Halili’s process involves working with the inherent shapes and textures of the materials he finds around his studio — an hour south of Manila. He skillfully uses iridescent mother-of-pearl to accentuate round skulls or evoke teardrops leaking from eyes.
His artistry extends beyond mere representation; it becomes a celebration of life, renewal, and reincarnation. Halili’s recent series, “Coments”, recontextualizes found objects, breathing new life into disused or abandoned items. Each sculpture contains over a hundred elements discovered along beaches, flea markets, and antique stores, emphasizing the transformative power of art
I started to create these massive works filled with miniature paintings and objects. I’m a painter, but I learned to create sculptures, to weld, use cutting and power tools, and drill into stones and metals…My method and thinking process is still painterly, creating the works as layers, constructing and deconstructing them, and figuring out the forms and gestures as I create.
Gregory Halili
More info: Instagram (h/t: Colossal).
