Exclusive: Blic Tells Us How He Partnered with Fashion Icon Mayao
This is the world of hands and haute couture as Filipino visionary Blic intertwines his artistic brilliance with international fashion icon Mayao
by Mika Reyes
Photos courtesy of Blic and Mayao
Jan 4, 2024
In the glamorous intersection of art and fashion, the alignment of Filipino talent with international flair has birthed an extraordinary collaboration. Art+ Magazine presents an exclusive interview with Blic, shedding light on the transcendent significance of his partnership with the trendsetting Mayao.
This artistic partnership not only resulted in a captivating album cover but also serves as a testament to the exceptional talent the Philippines brings to the global stage. Join us as we unravel the narrative of hands, hearts, and the resounding impact of Filipino creativity echoing worldwide.
Blic's Artistic Odyssey
Blic, born in the Philippines in '85, is an acclaimed artist in his own right. Through his art, he becomes a conjurer of emotion through his unique portrayal of hands in lieu of faces. As a proud member of the Cavity Collective and Pilipinas Street Plan, Blic has been transforming streets into galleries, where hands weave tales beyond expression. In his own words, "Blic comes from the word public, conveying that I am part of the public." But how did this public figure become a collaborator with the illustrious Mayao?
The Matchmaking Magic
According to Blic, the enchanted link between him and Mayao was woven by the threads of Matt Chung, the visionary behind Gallery Ascend in Hong Kong. During Art Basel, Matt introduced Blic to the multifaceted Mayao, who at that time was on the verge of releasing a new album.
“We met at Art Basel. It turns out he is friends with Mayao, and it so happened that Mayao's art direction revolves around fingers, representing songs for his album. The reason for focusing on fingers is because Mayao is fond of nail art. In short, Matt introduced me to Mayao as a cousin who shares a passion for hand,” Blic explains.
Mayao's Finger-Focused Finesse
Mayao, the polymath of Hong Kong's style scene, not only boasts an impressive résumé as a stylist and influencer but also wields a musical prowess that has captivated the city. His collaboration with Blic on an album cover featuring Mayao's younger self with luscious blonde locks speaks volumes about the harmony between visual and musical artistry.
Mayao's style transcends the conventional, blurring gender lines and turning heads in the fashion world. As the owner of Fame Glory Productions and a director at the Fashion Farm Foundation, Mayao's influence extends far beyond his wardrobe choices. Who knew that beneath those gender-neutral, spectacular looks, there lay a profound connection with the symbolic language of hands?
A Palette of Harmony
Blic's unrestrained painting style finds its counterpart in Mayao's boundary-defying fashion choices. The calm and well-knit composition of Blic's works complements the originality and spectacle that Mayao injects into the fashion landscape. Together, they've created not just an album cover but a visual symphony that harmonizes the seemingly disparate realms of art and fashion.
In the grand tapestry of artistic collaboration, the partnership between Blic and Mayao emerges as a testament to the boundless possibilities when minds and hands come together.
As the album featuring Mayao's youthful visage and Blic's hands takes the world by storm, we can't help but marvel at the magic woven in the studios of two creative souls who found unity in fingers and fashion. May the fingers that once held heads now strum chords of artistic resonance in every heart that encounters their collaborative masterpiece.
