When Dawn Atienza decided to finally open her own gallery, she knew the kind of place she longed for. Aside from an easily accessible location, she wanted her space to simulate the relaxed, informal atmoshpere of Art In The Park, the Museum Foundation’s annual affordable art fair.
Dawn, the younger sister of Mark Justiniani, grew up with the arts and artists. Even as she held an office job, she started dealing in art pieces. Soon enough, Tin-Aw Arts Management represented Mark, Joy Mallari, Ferdie Montemayor, and a bit later on, Alfredo Esquillo Jr. Thus, the need for a permanent base.
Today, Tin-Aw Art Gallery celebrates its first year with the show Diminishing Returns. Patrick Flores conceptualized and curated the group exhibit, challenging artists with the key words introspection, contraction, units of measure. The show contributes insights on the current financial crisis sweeping the globe, and its effects on both the average Filipino and the contemporary art market. Participating artists are Dennis Atienza, Antipas Delotavo, Alfredo Esquillo Jr., Mark Justiniani, Joy Mallari, Ferdie Montemayor, Kirby Roxas, Don Salubayba, Jose John Santos III, Juanito Torres, Clairelynn Uy, and Pamela Yan Santos.
As Dawn and her cousin, Marya Salang, welcome us tonight, they can look back with pride. Aside from giving us impressive shows this past year, notably Don Salubayba’s A Brown Man’s Allegory Project and Alfredo Esquillo Jr’s Reclamation Project, Tin-Aw has truly become a comfortable and casual venue for viewing works of art.
Diminishing Returns is on view from 6 t 20 March 2009, Tin-Aw Art Gallery, Upper GF, Somerset Olympia, Makati Avenue, Makati City. Ph (632) 892-7522 or visit www.tin-aw.com