From unexplored techniques in photography to fashion-graffiti collaborations, as well as Filipino and Singaporean prints, Manila’s art scene has plenty to offer this October
When photography was invented in the 19th century, it gave artists the freedom to move beyond purely hyperrealistic imitations of life, since photography could capture subjects with greater accuracy. While many artists continued to explore realism in their own ways, this shift in art history inspired artists to practice more experimental, innovative, and avant-garde pursuits. In the same vein, many contemporary Filipino artists today have developed their practice to create art with new concepts or alternative techniques. The art exhibits this October are no exception.
At West Gallery, there is a series of must-see solo exhibitions by multiple established female artists, namely Yasmin Sison, Isabel Santos, August Lyle Espino, and Jemima Yabes. While at Artinformal, Nice Buenaventura’s Mt. Pareidolia comes to a close, with largely investigative backing that looks at ecological concerns, colonial histories, and technology.
Luis Antonio Santos’ latest solo exhibition at Finale Art File showcases his silkscreen work, now featuring an array of colors with layers of images and textures. His overlays range from foliage to the sampaguita glass in his home, all tinted in various hues from Cathode-ray tube TV sets.
In the newly expanded space of The Drawing Room, there is a series of figurative works by Maya Muñoz, a continuation of the characters in the painted worlds of Jason Montinola, a thought-provoking installation by Father Jason Dy, and stunning photographic artwork by Lilibeth Cuenca Rasmussen.
STPI x The M
The leading art institutions, the Metropolitan Museum of Manila and Singapore’s STPI–Creative Workshop & Gallery, have partnered to co-present “Chances of Contact: Contemporary Prints from the Philippines and Singapore.”
Curated by esteemed Filipino curator Patrick Flores, deputy director of curatorial research at the National Gallery of Singapore, the exhibition features work by 16 artists—eight from Singapore, including Amanda Heng, Charles Lim Yi Yong, Chua Ek Kay, Genevieve Chua, Goh Beng Kwan, Han Sai Por, Heman Chong, and Yanyun Chen.
Artists from the Philippines include Alfredo and Isabel Aquilizan, Anita Magsaysay-Ho, Benedicto ‘BenCab’ Cabrera, Geraldine Javier, Lyra Garcellano, Manuel Ocampo, Pacita Abad, and Ronald Ventura.
Constance See, Singapore’s Ambassador to the Philippines, describes the show as one that “exemplifies the vibrant cultural dialogue and artistic exchange that has flourished between our two nations over the past five decades.”
“Chances of Contact: Contemporary Prints from the Philippines and Singapore” runs from Aug. 23 to Oct. 26, 2024 at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, MK Tan Centre, 30th St., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Micaela Benedicto at Tarzeer Pictures
An architect, musician, and visual artist, Micaela Benedicto has always had a way with forms. For this exhibition at Tarzeer Pictures, Benedicto drew inspiration from the architectural elements of her home in Kamias, Quezon City, which she was moving from—taking with her dining chairs, a wood screen, balusters, and other objects.
From these references, she created photograms, a process that doesn’t require a camera. In the darkroom, the objects were placed on a light-sensitive surface and exposed to light, leaving marks through slits and holes, resulting in the exhibit “A History of Hollows.”
Micaela Benedicto’s “A History of Hollows” runs from Sept. 19 to Nov. 7, 2024 at Tarzeer Pictures, 2288 Chino Roces Ave., Makati City
Ian Fabro at Artinformal
Curated by Norman Crisologo, Ian Fabro’s “Rituals for Utopia,” shows the artist continuing his painstaking practice of creating sculptures from layers and layers of religious medals and amulets, along with his meticulously drawn, detailed, and layered paper collages.
For this upcoming exhibition, Fabro continues to draw on his usual arcane references. He takes from religious Christian iconography such as the Book of Revelations and the Blessed Virgin Mary as well as elements from Greek, Roman, and even Thai mythology.
Heavy with esoteric inspiration, Fabro even incorporates tinges of literary references, like Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” all culminating in sculptures and paper works that pulse with a certain power.
Ian Fabro’s “Rituals for Utopia” runs from Oct. 14 to Nov 7, 2024 at Artinformal Makati, C1, Karrivin Plaza, 2316 Chino Roces Ave. Ext., Makati City
Indy Paredes at The Drawing Room
Artist and co-founder of Gravity Art Space Indy Paredes exhibits “Instantaneous: Thoughts Between a Line” featuring a variety of landscapes distinct to the Philippines. These include references to the geologic history of limestone, images of the old building of 1335 Mabini (where the artist once worked), and depictions of a bangka destroyed by Chinese water cannons in the West Philippine Sea.
One artwork shows a piece of driftwood resembling a jamón, placed in front of two dogs—a Chinese stone lion and a Philippine Mountain Dog—highlighting how, like the dogs, humans can be distracted by this structure, with its layered meanings.
Isola Tong writes in the exhibition notes, “What new meaning emerges not from reaching an endpoint but through waiting, observing and staying near the space between moments?… What different forms of lives can we imagine if we listen to the past through the ruins of the present?”
Indy Paredes’ “Instantaneous Thoughts Between a Line” runs from Sept. 28 to Oct. 26, 2024 at The Drawing Room Manila, Karrivin Plaza, 2316 Chino Roces Ave. Ext., Makati City
READ: How Gravity Art Space is breaking the gallery mold
Audrey Lukban at Finale Art File
Audrey Lukban’s solo exhibition “Behind the Scenes” is installed in the upstairs gallery and video room of Finale Art File. The exhibit features painted curtains that reflect the artist’s subconscious, exploring the idea of “stage design” through her paintings.
Lukban, known for her highly conceptual practice, marks a shift into new territory in her practice, now “focusing on the immediate and visceral connection with the audience” with an “underlying theme in her body of work: life as a stage where our motivations, and eventually our actions, are influenced by external forces and when put under the pressure of prying gazes.” (James Luigi Tana)
Audrey Lukban’s “Behind the Scenes” runs from Sept. 27 to Oct. 24 at Finale Art File, La Fuerza Compound, Warehouse 17, 2241 Chino Roces Ave., Makati City
Ricky Francisco at Galerie Stephanie
After multiple group exhibitions and curated shows, curator and artist Ricky Francisco holds his first-ever solo exhibition “Square” at Galerie Stephanie. In his practice, Francisco often draws inspiration from modern art, specifically abstract expressionism and the genre of color field painting. Through color, he explores light, which he describes as “a visualization of the soul and the spark of the divine in us. This is aligned with my core beliefs.”
In recent times, Francisco has observed the growing number of local artists who dabble in abstraction, particularly in depicting geometric rectangles and squares. Galerie Stephanie noted in an Instagram post, “Rationalizing the phenomenon, squares may project stability in a highly volatile world,” serving as representations of predictability, reminiscent of windows or public areas where people congregate, or even a void.”
Ricky Francisco’s “Square” runs from Oct. 4 to 26, 2024 at Galerie Stephanie, 6th Floor, East Wing, Shangri-La Plaza EDSA, cor Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City
Katrina Bello at Modeka
Born in Davao City, Katrina Bello’s practice draws from memory, observation, experiences, and narratives of land and natural surroundings, particularly during her immigration to the US.
In her solo exhibit “Dark Between Flashes,” she explores the concept of darkness, creating renditions of the natural world that reflect her transition between the changing landscapes of the Philippines and the US.
Bello employs graphite, charcoal, and pastel on paper, meticulously crafting depth and texture while balancing the values of lightness and darkness. Her work presents mythic and contemplative images of landscapes and changes in both land and sea, capturing every crinkle in the earth and surface of the water. Through this, she reflects on themes of displacement and the search for one’s own place.
Katrina Bello’s “Dark Between Flashes” runs from Oct. 5 to 26, 2024 at Modeka, Warehouse 20A, La Fuerza 1, 2241, Chino Roces Ave., Makati City
Pollyanna Dee at Art Underground Manila
Illustrator and visual artist Pollyanna Dee has exhibited internationally, showcasing her work in Italy, the UK, and Luxembourg. Initially focusing on beautiful paintings of women, she has since developed a distinct style, characterized by small figures with closed or half-closed eyes.
In “Midnight Blooms,” the figures appear to take a deep breath while surrounded by a mane of hydrangea petals. This choice of flower reflects the species’ journey through darkness, illustrating how blooms can illuminate the night. The sense of sweetness and childlike wonder in her work resonates with her name, Pollyanna, which signifies someone who sees the good in everything, conveying warmth and positivity despite all.
Pollyanna Dee’s “Midnight Blooms” runs from Sept. 27 to Oct. 10, 2024 at Art Underground Manila, Mabini St., Brgy. Addition Hills, San Juan City
“Confluence” at Everything’s Fine Bookstore
Confluence, a curatorial research project by John Paul Diciembre under the artist-run space 98B Collaboratory, will present an exhibition featuring works by Ab Hong, AJ Raymundo, Antonio Pastoriza, Chesca Santiago, E. Briggs, Eldrick Yuji Los Baños, EMV Limbaga, Garden, Jade Cabauatan, Jaimielly, Karina Abola, Liana Maris, Lilay, Lea Marie Diño, Marz Aglipay, Mikmakdo, Monica Fernandez, Paige Espiritu, RD Daniel, and Zea Asis.
On the Confluence website, Diciembre writes a foreword that hints at the project’s focus on the “often complex relationships between artistic creation and critical discourse.” The initiative emphasizes collaboration, pairing artists and critics as they exchange ideas throughout the development process—a frequently overlooked aspect of art-making that fosters more cohesive artistic practices. The participants’ walkthrough on Oct. 4, 2024 will further highlight the importance of public dialogue.
With limited stocks, you can also pre-order the “Confluence” book which will further explore the symbiotic collaboration between the artists and the art critics. The pre-order form can be found here.
“Confluence” runs from Oct. 4 to 31, 2024 at Everything’s Fine, Unit G8, Prince Tower, Salcedo Village, 14 Tordesillas, Makati City
Garapata x TNT at Pablo Galleries’ POST Cubao Expo
Garapata, the artist moniker of Dex Fernandez, is a household name in the art world. With beginnings in street art, he has since held multiple gallery exhibitions while collaborating regularly with retail brands like H&M and Lakat.
Returning to his roots in street art, Garapata joins forces with the enigmatic graffiti collective Topnotch, or TNT, where over 40 of its artists painted on four rolls of canvas. These canvases were cut and stitched into Garapata’s signature tote bags, featuring the four hanging stuffed cloth legs while marked with the authentic graffiti tags by the TNT artists. Each bag is priced at P5,500.
The collaboration explores concepts of mutual authorship and ownership, “by taking control of the materialization of their artistic output in fashion and merchandise” (Con Cabrera), ultimately maximizing freedom of expression.
GARATOPNOTCH runs from Sept. 28 to Nov. 9, 2024 at Post Gallery, Cubao Expo, General Romulo Ave, Cubao, Quezon City
Stephanie Syjuco at Silverlens Manila
If you can catch the tail end of Stephanie Syjuco’s exhibit at Silverlens, it’s definitely worth a visit.
While we’re familiar with the stark and brutal images of Martial Law, with all its crimes and riots, this exhibition of Stephanie Syjuco explores the cultural dimensions of that era, prompting reflections through the paradoxes and juxtapositions.
Collaborating with the archives of the Lopez Museum and Library, Syjuco combed through thousands of photographs in the Manila Chronicle archives. Her process is fascinating, as she recounts, that the folders were organized by labels rather than by time—from “interiors” to “hair.”
As a balikbayan from the US, Syjuco states in a video with Silverlens, “It was such a wonderful experience for me because I felt like I was learning a part of a time in which I had really just missed… Coming back to the kind of experience and seeing this history firsthand through the images of the photojournalists—it was a way for me to connect closer with my own relationship to the Philippines, but also to share, hopefully with the Filipino public, these images that have essentially not been seen for over 50 years. Out of that kind of excavation of the archive, I went back to my studio and sifted through about a thousand images that I had taken. Part of my process is about thinking very deeply about what images can be juxtaposed to tell new stories about history.”
“Inherent Vice” is explained as a term in conservation that refers to the tendency of an object to deteriorate because of its own characteristics. Syjuco “rephotographs” or reframes these images by layering them in a new way that alters the viewer’s encounter with the space.
The exhibition features jarring contrasts, like student protests alongside flamboyant hairstyles, creating a complex look at history from the late 1960s to 1972, just before Martial Law descended on Manila. Additionally, there are juxtapositions of beautiful flora, with captions from student protest images written in the journalists’ notes related to the events and political images.
Stephanie Syjuco’s “Inherent Vice” runs from Aug. 29 to Oct. 5, 2024 at Silverlens Manila, 2263 Chino Roces Ave., Makati City