Famed Rome-based printing studio Bulla created only 25 copies of 7,000 Islands.
Outgoing Italian Ambassador Giorgio Guglielmino is capping off his four-year stint in the Philippine with a limited-25-copy-print-run art portfolio. Titled 7,000 Islands, it will be participated by contemporary Italian artists and will be printed by the famed Rome-based Bulla printing studio.
The artists included in the portfolio are Micol Assael, Ra Di Martino, and Nunzio who freely interpreted the theme of “island” as a physical and metaphorical place. Guglielmino together with Department of Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat wrote the texts accompanying the artworks of the three Italian artists.
“The prints were made with the highest professionalism and sincere participation on the part of the Italian artists from the point of view of what 7,000 islands represents,” Guglielmino says. “From my perspective, it is a concrete sign of how culture brings two countries like Italy and the Philippines closer.”
“In the printing process I involved the Bulla printing studio, one of the most prestigious artistic printing companies in the world, based in Rome,” the Ambassador adds. “The Bulla printing studio was born 210 years ago and has always remained in the ownership of the same family. It is currently managed by the seventh generation of printers.”
The art portfolio was printed by Rome-based Bulla 
Artwork by Nunzio Di Stefano
Convivial ties
The recipients of the 25 works were given to key government officials and individuals who were instrumental in strengthening relations between Italy and the country.
The portfolio was delivered to the Foreign Minister of Italy Luigi Di Maio and Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, and Secretary Romulo-Puyat who also contributed to the portfolio initiative.
Most of the copies were delivered individually to 15 Filipino personalities who over the last few years have helped to strengthen the cultural, commercial and convivial ties between Italy and the Philippines.
Among them were Metropolitan Museum of Manila president Tina Colayco who was instrumental for the presentation of the great exhibition “Arte Povera, Italian landscape” inaugurated in February 2020; Margarita Forés who has constantly enhanced and promoted Italian cuisine in her restaurants and through television broadcasts; Florence Ko and Ben Chan for the importation of the best brands of Italian furniture design; Nedy Tantoco for the Italian fashion brands at Rustan’s; and Boots Herrera of the Ateneo Art Gallery for the creation of the Embassy of Italy Award which recognized Silvana Diaz for her contribution to visual arts through Galleria 2000.
The 7,000 Islands limited-edition portfolio is the Ambassador’s parting gift to the country for the warmth and hospitality of its people and shows his love and passion for the country and his appreciation of contemporary art.
