The best in Filipino contemporary art delve into ideas of materialism in “Possession: To Have & To Hold”
Some of the best contemporary Filipino artists are exhibiting in Jakarta, Indonesia in a group presentation titled “Possession: To Have & To Hold,” curated by Joyce Toh at Gajah Gallery.
The exhibition features work by Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera, Kawayan de Guia, Kiri Dalena, Leslie de Chavez, Marina Cruz, Mark Justiniani, Nona Garcia, Rocky Cajigan, and Rodel Tapaya.
Running from Aug. 10 to Sept. 8, 2024 at Gajah Gallery Jakarta, the exhibition’s opening was attended by the Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Gina A. Jamoralin, as the guest of honor. Also present were Philippine National Artist BenCab and Justiniani, who represented the country at the 2019 Venice Biennale pavilion.
The Singapore- and Indonesia-based Gajah Gallery has a history of collaborating with Filipino artists. Gallery director Jasdeep Sandhu expressed his interest in Philippine art: “Philippine artists are very good… It is our gallery’s ambition to try and bring the whole region together, to get Philippine artists collected by Singapore, Indonesian, Malaysian, and Southeast Asian collectors—and vice versa. I believe that we have to start, we have to build these bridges. These bridges are crucial for our long-term progress as a Southeast Asian identity.”
Many of the artists have previously worked with Gajah Gallery’s foundry, the Yogya Art Lab in Yogyakarta, which has encouraged artists like BenCab to experiment with bronze and other materials.
READ: Gajah Gallery Showcases Filipino Artistry in Southeast Asia’s Biggest International Art Fair
This current exhibition in Indonesia’s capital explores the often compulsive relationship people have with physical possessions. It examines how objects age, and mark both space and time while revealing aspects of identity, status, and aspirations.
The exhibit poses the question—do we own these items, or do they own us? What do they reveal about our subconscious selves?
The artists jump from this prompt in various interpretations. BenCab presents an impassioned pastel and charcoal drawing of a couple enveloped in each other’s arms.
Cruz offers her distinctive hyperrealistic renditions of clothing in “Kinship” with two rumpled, yellowing blouses. Her husband Tapaya depicts a striking acrylic composition on burlap, depicting a pineapple with many eyes, possibly referencing the Filipino myth “Alamat ng Pinya.”
READ: Artists Marina Cruz and Rodel Tapaya find a new canvas for creation in books with IsTorya
The exhibition notes explain, “Possession—as a state of mind and emotion —becomes primary when “want” supersedes “need.” After all, there is no real need to own multiple shoes or sneakers, digital gadgets, bags, cars… or a work of art. And yet we do. In other instances, it’s holding on to an old pen, mug, or watch even when it’s no longer in good working form or has become outmoded. The rational mind says to let these possessions go, but no: we hang on to it.”
“Possession: To Have & To Hold,” curated by Joyce Toh runs from Aug. 10 to Sep. 8, 2024 at Gajah Gallery Jakarta. Photos from Gajah Gallery.
