Dashing Through Manila’s Art Scene (ie Catching What I Can)

Annie Cabigting, Warhol's grave, for "Black and White Under A Shroud of Gray and Gray"

Apologies for the sparse postings, but somehow, a project we undertook a few months ago has morphed into Art Fair Philippines 2013, and now it seems that every free minute of the day has been devoted to that beast!  For more information—yes, shameless plug!—please do check out www.artfairphilippines.com or https://www.facebook.com/artfairph Continue reading


Catching Up On Manila’s Art Scene: Troy Ignacio at The Drawing Room, Ley Hunting at Silverlens, An Auction at Finale, Spanish Artists at DAGC, and Erwin Leano and Wataru Sakuma at Art Informal

Wataru Sakuma, "Roxas Blvd" at Map, Art Informal

Doing the rounds of galleries gave way to other projects these past few weeks, but this weekend proved a good time to catch up on Manila’s offerings: Continue reading


A Deluge of Art: Art Sanchez, Marina Cruz, and Pam Yan Santos

Arturo Sanchez, Jr., "Caught In A Time Warp", collage on convex mirror, detail

What a difference a week makes! Hard to believe, as we bask in today’s sunshine, how torrents of water engulfed our fair metropolis just seven days ago. While mundane matters deservedly took a back seat to stories of despair, hope, and good samaritanship, these exhibits prove that art can still offer some solace for the soul.  Catch them while you can— while the good weather lasts: Continue reading


Eugenia Alcaide Draws With Thread at Art Informal

By Eugenia Alcaide

When I first saw Eugenia Alcaide’s portraits, they stood stacked on the grass, newly unpacked, ready for the bustle of this year’s Art In The Park.  The next time I looked, perhaps two hours later, they had disappeared, carted off by those entranced with the novelty of her work. Continue reading


ArtHK 2012 Diary: Day 2, Pinoy Power

Jose John Santos III, "Clockwise", detail

While briefing  the press right before officially opening the doors to ArtHK 12, Magnus Renfrew, fair director, announced that beginning next year, Art Basel officially takes over the Hong Kong art fair. Henceforth, it shall be known as Art Basel Hong Kong, the third fair in the franchise after the original Art Basel (the one that actually takes place in Basel) and Art Basel Miami Beach. Continue reading


Riel Hilario’s Special Exhibit at Art Informal: Perro Amoroso, it was a paradisical state: the body was allowed to be a body

Riel Hilario, "Perro Amoroso", detail

More often than not, a privately commissioned work goes straight from artist to collector, and largely disappears from public view.  Art Informal’s Tina Fernandez feels, however, that certain pieces deserve a wider audience, even for a brief period, before they go off into homes or to storage facilities, available only to a select few. Continue reading


Jose John Santos III Offers A Sneak Peek

Jose John Santos III, "Wishbone"

It was in 2009’s {Un}Common that Jose John Santos III first introduced us to his fascination with objects.  Almost exactly two years later, Sneak Peek, his first solo show since then, affirms that this has not waned.  This time around, John opts for simple, quiet compositions for his paintings.  Originally installed at the gallery of Sitio Remedios, the beautiful Ilocos beachside resort of art patron Dr. Joven Cuanang, this exhibit travelled to Art Informal in Greenhills, a concession to allow Manila-based enthusiasts a chance to view the latest from John. Continue reading


September Roundup: Christina Quisumbing Ramilo, Roberto Chabet, Mark Andy Garcia, Jigger Cruz, Dex Fernandez, Bjorn Calleja, Cos Zicarelli, Kawayan de Guia

Jigger Cruz, "Dead End", detail

Between awaiting this upgraded site and attending to a ton of work, September just whizzed by me.  Manila’s art scene yielded some incredible shows.  While I did get the chance to catch most of them, I couldn’t find the time to sit down and write.  For posterity’s sake, I thought I’d document them here anyway.  Here are September 2011’s highlights: Continue reading


The Origin of Symmetry by Wesley T. Valenzuela

I wasn’t quite sure what to make of The Origin of Symmetry, Wesley T. Valenzuela’s solo exhibit at Art Informal.  A chat with the artist revealed that his intent had been to simply create balance and harmony among discordant pairs.  Hence, we are confronted with figures that combine Darth Vader and Buddha, man and machine, skulls and guns set in patterns that echo mandalas.  Indeed, as one enters the gallery, the show’s installation gives off an air of serenity and peacefulness:  the gallery’s pristine walls, freshly coated in white, set off the precisely placed pieces in red and black. Continue reading