The late Louie Cruz and the art of the fragile form

The icon’s nude art collection includes the works of Mike Aquino, Arjay de Leon Navarro, and National Artist Vicente Manansala

Last November 2020, Manila’s upper crust bid a bittersweet farewell to the party icon that was Louie Cruz. Best known for his dinners, soirées, and celebrations, him being called “the life of the party” is quite the understatement.

While we’ll miss his trademark off-shoulder blouse and party swag, Louie’s legacy lives on to the Manila nightlife he helped build in the ‘70s up to the early aughts and the social scene in the powdery shores of Boracay.

Aside from being a certified bon vivant, Louie was also an avid collector and lover of art. His father was a close friend of National Artist Vicente Manansala, effectively granting the young Cruz indispensable insight regarding the world of Philippine art and culture. 

Louie’s Vicente Manansala collection

This coming weekend will be a cheers to Louie and his life in the arts as his collection of nude illustrations will be part of the 19th edition of Leon Gallery trade. Dubbed as Leon Exchange XIX, the online auction will take place on April 9, 10, and 11, 2021 starting at 11 a.m. All bids will be purely online. The selection of exquisite pieces from Louie’s collection features a number of Vicente’s anatomical oeuvres, as well as works by Mike Aquino and Arjay de Leon Navarro.

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