MANILA, July 2026 — By day, Spencer Ozo oversees guest experiences as Front Office Manager at Conrad Manila. In the quiet hours before sunrise and long after his shift, he becomes an artist—spending weekends and every spare moment creating works that explore identity, resilience, and hope.
Now on view at Conrad Manila’s Gallery C, his third solo exhibition, “Intimate Reflections,” marks another milestone in his artistic journey. The show features 25 pieces that examine vulnerability, self-discovery, and transformation. It is part of the hotel’s 42nd edition of its signature Of Art and Wine series and runs until September 26.
“I started painting in 2020 after a cousin gave me a set of paints,” Spencer said during the opening. “I had been sketching since I was young, but I had never painted before that.”
With no formal training, he learned through online tutorials, joking that he graduated from “YouTube University.” Working mainly with acrylics and textured materials, he developed a style that blends abstract expression with figurative elements.
Balancing hospitality and art requires discipline. With more than two decades in the industry—including nine years with Holland America Line before joining Conrad Manila in 2017—Spencer devotes most of his free time to painting.
“My weekdays are for the hotel,” he said. “I paint on weekends and whenever my schedule allows. It took me six months to complete this collection.”
His latest works also show a clear shift in tone and direction.
His artistic journey gained momentum with his first exhibition at Gallery C in 2022, marking the beginning of a growing presence in the local art scene.
“My first exhibition during the pandemic was very dark,” he recalled. “I used heavy blacks because it reflected what I was going through then. This one is different—it reflects who I am today.”
The brighter palette and layered textures signal optimism while remaining grounded in personal experience. Several pieces draw inspiration from Leonardo da Vinci, particularly his interest in geometry and the Fibonacci sequence, reinterpreted through Spencer’s signature textured style.
One standout work revisits the Vitruvian Man, reimagining the iconic figure through geometric patterns and tactile surfaces that speak to humanity’s drive to reach beyond physical limits.
“I wanted to make it my own by adding texture and geometric elements,” he said.
Despite growing recognition in the local art scene, Spencer emphasizes that every piece begins with meaning.
Early in his journey, a gallery rejection became a turning point when he was asked a simple question: What is the purpose of your painting?
“That changed everything,” he said. “I realized every work needs intention. It has to tell a story.”
Today, he describes his purpose as an artist as “to evoke emotion” through themes of humanism, feminism, environmental awareness, and self-reflection.
“Art has helped me understand who I am,” he said. “It lets me explore personal history, culture, and emotion with honesty. Through this collection, I hope people reflect on their own journeys and start meaningful conversations about identity and growth.”
Conrad Manila General Manager Rupert Hallam said Spencer’s exhibition reflects the hotel’s commitment to supporting the passions of its team members.
For Spencer, hospitality and art are not separate pursuits but complementary expressions of the same calling—to create meaningful human connections. Whether welcoming guests at Conrad Manila or inviting viewers into his paintings, he continues to demonstrate that creativity can flourish even alongside the demands of a hospitality career.
All artworks on exhibit at Gallery C are available for acquisition. For inquiries and more information, guests and art collectors may contact +632 8833 9999 or email Conrad.Manila.info@conradhotels.com.
