There is something fascinating that happens when artists from different disciplines find common ground. Rather than competing for attention, their individual practices begin to enrich one another, creating a dialogue that neither medium could achieve alone. Such was the case with geometric abstractionist Aaron Virata Mempin and fine jewelry designer Mitzi De Castro Parungao. Their collaboration demonstrated how visual art and jewelry design could intersect in meaningful ways, resulting in an exhibition that blurred traditional boundaries between artistic expression and personal adornment. Through their partnership, a conversation emerged—one that traveled effortlessly from canvas to jewelry and from observer to wearer.
Virata Mempin created large-scale visual experiences that invited viewers to pause, study, and contemplate, as his geometric abstractions revealed themselves through layers of form, texture, and meaning that rewarded sustained attention. Parungao, on the other hand, worked on a more intimate scale, designing jewelry meant to be worn, touched, and integrated into daily life. One artist created works that occupied walls and spaces; the other crafted pieces that moved with the human body. Yet despite these contrasting formats, both shared a commitment to storytelling, craftsmanship, and emotional resonance.
Their shared vision came to life during their exhibition at Salcedo Auctions in Makati City. Organized by the Rotary Club of Makati, the one-day preview brought together Virata Mempin’s geometric abstract works and Parungao’s fine jewelry creations while unveiling a series of collaborative pieces developed by both artists. The exhibition presented a rare balance between conceptual sophistication and accessibility. It showcased Virata Mempin’s distinctive artistic voice—marked by geometry, symbolism, memory, and introspection—alongside Parungao’s ability to transform artistic ideas into objects that felt personal, inviting, and culturally relevant. Together, their works created an environment where audiences engaged with art on both intellectual and emotional levels.
Reflecting on the collaboration, Virata Mempin explained how the experience expanded his visual language beyond the confines of the canvas. “My visual language adjusted from purely structural geometry on canvas to a more fluid dialogue with jewelry. I was drawn to Mitzi’s ability to translate complex emotions into wearable art, which mirrors my own pursuit of finding order within my pieces,” he shared. He described the project through the idea of Refined Intersections—a meeting point between geometric precision and the organic elegance of fine jewelry.
Parungao, for her part, recalled being immediately energized by the vibrancy of Virata Mempin’s abstract compositions. Inspired by that dynamism, she created jewelry pieces that sought to echo and reinterpret the same energy. “I was most surprised by how naturally our two distinct mediums merged into a singular, cohesive narrative. Moving forward, my practice will likely embrace more cross-disciplinary influences to keep the creative process fresh and expansive,” she said.
For her, jewelry had always been more than decoration. Her work was rooted in a desire to create timeless pieces that commemorated personal stories while honoring the traditions of fine craftsmanship. “My inspiration is drawn from the intersection of nature’s organic beauty and the structured elegance of modern architecture. In this exhibit, I was telling stories of connection and the invisible threads that bind different artistic disciplines together. Working with Aaron challenged me to think more abstractly about composition and how a piece of jewelry can function as a sculpture in motion,” she explained.
She further noted that collaborating with a visual artist did not alter her creative identity; rather, it allowed her ideas to resonate within a broader artistic context. “The conversation is strongest in the pieces where the angularity of his lines perfectly cradles the curves of my jewelry designs,” she observed. Virata Mempin agreed, adding that Parungao’s attention to scale and intimacy encouraged him to focus even more closely on detail. “Our exchange was a fluid flow of ideas,” he affirmed.
The partnership arrived at a time when audiences increasingly sought authenticity in creative endeavors. Beyond technical skill, people usually gravitate toward works that felt sincere, thoughtful, and emotionally grounded. The collaboration between Virata Mempin and Parungao embodied these qualities. Their artistic exchange was rooted in genuine curiosity and mutual respect, allowing storytelling, lifestyle, and personal expression to coexist naturally within the exhibition. Together, they created an experience that felt both intellectually engaging and emotionally inviting.
Despite their differing mediums, both artists shared a remarkably similar approach to creation. At the center of their practices was a commitment to storytelling. Each line, contour, gemstone, and structural element served a purpose. Nothing was incidental. Their works communicated through nuance rather than declaration, exploring themes of identity, memory, transformation, and connection. Rather than imposing a singular interpretation, they invited audiences to bring their own experiences into the encounter.
One of the exhibition’s highlights was a limited collection of three collaborative earrings embodying the idea of Shared Authorship. Designed by Parungao and inspired by Virata Mempin’s geometric language, the pieces featured carefully selected gemstones and Akoya pearls set within silver forms finished in yellow gold. Through these works, the artist’s signature geometric structures were transformed into wearable objects. The precise angular framework provided a striking contrast to the organic softness of the pearls, creating pieces that balanced order and fluidity. In effect, Virata Mempin’s geometric abstractions were translated from two-dimensional compositions into sculptural forms animated by movement and wear.
The exhibition ultimately dissolved the distinction between observing art and experiencing it. Virata Mempin’s paintings provided the visual narrative, while Parungao’s jewelry extended that narrative into the physical realm. What began as an image evolved into an object that could be worn and carried. Through this process, art became less distant and more personal. Viewers were no longer passive observers; they became participants in the story. The exhibition invited audiences not only to appreciate artistic expression but also to inhabit it.
For Virata Mempin, the collaboration revealed new possibilities for translating geometric abstraction into physical form. For Parungao, it reaffirmed the creative potential that emerges when different disciplines engage in meaningful dialogue. Both artists agreed that the collaboration strengthened rather than diluted their individual voices. By allowing room for another perspective, they discovered new dimensions within their own practices. As Virata Mempin succinctly put it, “This is what happens when we leave room for another artist’s vision.” The result was a body of work that existed comfortably between categories, refusing to be confined by traditional definitions.
Ultimately, the collaboration served as a reminder of the power of creative exchange. It suggested that art need not remain static or limited to a single medium. Instead, it could evolve, adapt, and find new forms through collaboration. For collectors, enthusiasts, and anyone drawn to meaningful artistic experiences, the exhibition of Mitzi Parungao and Aaron Virata Mempin offered a compelling example of what becomes possible when distinct creative voices come together in pursuit of a shared vision.
For more information about the exhibition, interested parties may contact the Rotary Club of Makati, Inc., MRCFI Building, 8001 Camia St., Guadalupe Viejo, Makati City, Philippines, or call (632) 8997863 to 65. Additional information about Filipino geometric abstract artist Aaron Virata Mempin may be found through his social media platforms—IG: @aaron.virata.mempin, FB: Aaron Virata Mempin – Artist, TikTok: @aaronviratamempin, YT: @aaron.virata.mempin, X: aaronviratamemp—or via email at avmsartworks@gmail.com. Mitzi Parungao may likewise be reached through her Instagram account: @mitzijewels.
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