After a creativity-filled February, keep the fire burning and see even more art galleries this March
National Arts Month last February was quite the ride. Throughout the 10 Days of Art, Art Fair Philippines, and ALT, the month-long, back-to-back events went beyond just visual stimulation. The presentations were often multi-sensorial, exploring mediums in music, film, and more.
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Just think back to the immersive installations and special projects at the fair. Special lectures and educational talks also formulated an atmosphere of contemplation. Not to mention the socializing and mingling late into the night with gallerists, collectors, and artists. While fun, the amount of creative stimulation could have led to some tiredness.
But it’s a new month!
And with a new month comes LIFESTYLE.INQ’s monthly gallery list of exhibits to see around the city. The Manila art scene persists and our gallery pioneers persevere, with a selection of contemporary art exhibitions this Women’s History Month, both in-theme and exploring other concepts.
1. Don’t be afraid of being slow, be afraid of standing still [不怕慢, 就怕站], co-curated by Janice Liuson-Young and Patrick de Veyra at White Walls Gallery
The collective exhibition delves into the Chinese-Filipino cultural narrative amid our contemporary Philippine art landscape.
With notably coherent, cohesive curation, and an expansive selection of both established and emerging artists, the exhibition promises an experience that looks to the past while contemplating reflections on the “ever-evolving Chinese-Filipino community” at present, reminding “of the value of moving forward… pressing on no matter the pace” (de Veyra).
Featured artists include Julius Limpe, Janice Liuson Young, Clarence Chun, Leeroy New, Romeo Lee, Miguel Lorenzo Uy, Billie Jean, Jon Cuyson, Johann Gohoc, Sarah de Veyra-Buyco, Kadin Tiu, Shireen Co, Jay Yao, Rosenthal Tee, Aze Ong, JD Yu, Xian Lim, Christopher Yap, Jerika See, Julieanne Ng, Bryan Kong, Christine Go, Pete Rich, Nico Ng, Patty Py, Jing, Rachelle Tan, Helena Go, and Patrick de Veyra.
Don’t be afraid of being slow, be afraid of standing still [不怕慢，就怕站] runs from February 24 to March 9, 2024 at White Walls Gallery. Located at Warehouse 12A, La Fuerza Plaza, 2241 Chino Roces Ave, Makati City.
2. Bianca Carague and Erik Peters, Plastic Tides at MONO8 Gallery
Rotterdam-based artists Bianca Carague and Erik Peters present the third chapter of their Maria Islands saga—a fictional archipelago that covers themes ranging from contemporary environmental degradation in the ocean to pre-colonial Philippine beliefs.
In past iterations, Carague’s sculpted imaginary artifacts and Peters’ immersive audio-visual installations converged to offer a multi-dimensional exploration of the intersection between art, history, and pressing societal issues.
With Plastic Tides, the artists envision the fate of an archipelago born from plastic debris. It notes the Philippines’ status as a top oceanic plastic polluter, as well as how much waste originates from Western nations like the Netherlands—linking the background of the two artists.
In a consistent practice steeped in thorough research and cutting-edge technology, the artists introduce “Maria,” a fictional techno-deity tasked to nurture the imaginary island. Maria fosters new life forms after supposed evolution in the archipelago.
Plastic Tides runs from February 29 to March 24, 2024 at MONO8 Gallery. Located at BLK 113, 53 Connecticut, San Juan City.
3. Elaine Navas, Veronica Peralejo, Kitty Kaburo, Everywhere We Shoot at West Gallery
West Gallery showcases four solo exhibitions by established artists in the Philippines:
Singapore-based Filipino artist Elaine Roberto Navas is renowned for creating compelling surfaces of forms. While she depicts the simplest elements in nature, her visceral, often enigmatic compositions evoke reflections of the universe at large.
Veronica Peralejo’s sculpted objects too resonate on a universal scale, with a practice that ranges in concepts and themes. Her early work examines the intricacies of biology, then later the vastness of the cosmos, while recently exploring more intimate human experiences.
Kitty Kaburo, a Filipino artist of Korean descent, employs a diverse range of traditional and unconventional media to explore the transformative effects of time, elements, and human interaction.
EveryWhereWeShoot!, comprising Ryan Vergara and Garovs Garrovillo, presents photographic work that challenges spatial boundaries, both in physical places and personal connections, garnering recognition in major magazines locally and internationally.
The solo exhibitions run from February 29 to March 30, 2024 at West Gallery. Located at 1104 West Ave, Quezon City.
4. Group Exhibition presented by ESC Projects and Sumuloy Garden, Projects Petals and Power: Women in Bloom at 98B COLLABoratory
Since 2012, artist-run space 98B COLLABoratory has been keeping the art community thriving in old Manila. Set in the historic First United Building, which was designed by Andres P. Luna in 1928, the site-specific art exhibitions will be spread across the floors of the building. All by women artists.
On the stairway to the ground floor will be work by Yllang Montenegro. Opaline Santos will open the exhibit on March 2 with a performance and walkthrough by the 98B team. Petra Gana’s pieces will snake throughout the stairways. Jazel Kristin will work on the fifth floor, where there will also be a workshop and performance art.
Petals and Power: Women in Bloom runs from March 2 to 31, 2024, at the First United Building (FUB). Located at 413 Escolta Street, Binondo, Manila.
5. Ilongga artists, A Room of Her Own at Thrive Art Gallery
During the 1970s, Wilhelmina Cole Holladay, founder of the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington D.C., famously questioned, “Where are all the women artists?” A pertinent question if you look at art history since the Renaissance era.
It is only lately that female artists have had a platform to develop their practices. But even today, during Women’s Month, the challenge for visibility persists.
The exhibition title seems to reference Virginia Woolf’s “A Room of One’s Own,” Woolf’s metaphor that pushes for a social, political, and cultural space for women both in the private and public.
Thrive Art Gallery looks into this inquiry, with a focus on Ilongga female talent in an upcoming exhibition that seems a promising exploration of feminism in the Visayas region.
A Room of Her Own runs from March 2 to 22, 2024 at Thrive Art Gallery. Located at The Shops at Atria, Ayala Malls, Iloilo City.
6. Group Exhibition, Women’s Odyssey at The Grey Space
In collaboration with Art Toy PH, The Grey Space presents an all-women exhibition that explores the creativity, resilience, and diversity of women artists. Taking from Homer’s epic poem “The Odyssey,” the woman’s experience is reframed in what seems a metaphorical journey unique to her experiences, challenges, and achievements throughout life.
Featured artists include Ana Verayo, Analee Angeles, Camille Chua, Che Paints, Cherdee Palmera, Czyrille Salazar, Hazel San Jose, Inah Santos, Isabel Moserrat, Jam Rosal, Jamille Bianca, Kgphee, Kristine Sia, Leahrly Curitana, Lloren, Marielett Dionisio, Michelle Alde, Narra Marin, ooohnao, Rasheeda, Rizza Maniulit, Sola, Trexia Art, Syapco, and Yuta Kabilin.
Women’s Odyssey runs from February 24, 2024, at The Grey Space. Located at 331 P. Guevarra, San Juan City.