The upcoming collaborative show ALT Philippines 2020 on Feb. 14-16 will give the audience a chance to explore the vibrant Philippine contemporary art scene.
Happening at the SMX Convention Center at SM Aura Premier, the show features over 150 artists hosted by 10 galleries, each presenting their dedicated space that highlights their distinct contemporary visions. The founding collective includes Finale Art File, The Drawing Room, West Gallery, Vinyl On Vinyl, Artinformal, Blanc, Galleria Duemilla, MO_Space, Underground, and 1335Mabini.
Traditional painting
Premier gallery institution Finale Art File offers a glimpse into the state of traditional painting through the works of 11 Filipino contemporary artists, namely, Annie Cabigting, Bembol Dela Cruz, Lyra Garcellano, Ayka Go, Jojo Legaspi, Kim Oliveros, Lynyrd Paras, Michelle Perez, Liv Vinluan, Paulo Vinluan, and Jeona Zoleta.
With various styles and from different generations, each artist uses painting either as the reference or the means to give form to ideas and emotions. The chosen artists either affirm or question painting’s conventions using historical strategies such as appropriation, collage and bricolage, and framing questions around notions of identity, materiality, and subjectivity.
Progressive art
Putting a spotlight on artists whose respective practices represent a country in constant frenetic flux, The Drawing Room’s exhibit focuses on the dynamics of the gallery’s relationship to the artists, and the defined sensibilities of the latter.
It features some of the country’s most renowned and progressive contemporary artists such as Alfredo and Isabel Aquilizan, Manuel Ocampo, Mark Justiniani, José Santos III, Pam Yan Santos, Kiko Escora, Kawayan De Guia, Leo Abaya, Ged Merino, Diokno Pasilan, Rene Aquitania, Derek Tumala, Kat Medina, Miguel Aquilizan and Jessica Dorizac, Troy Ignacio, and Vermont Coronel Jr.
Self-expression
As a gallery dedicated to providing a space for young artists to explore and hone their skills, West Gallery’s presentation at ALT Philippines features a range of veteran and young talents who were invited to freely explore their practices.
Showcasing their visions that reflect the pulse of Philippine contemporary art are Louie Cordero, Jigger Cruz, Mariano Ching, Yasmin Sison-Ching, Mark Andy Garcia, Kawayan De Guia, Geraldine Javier, Luis Lorenzana, Raffy T. Napay, Elaine Roberto Navas, Carina Santos, Isabel Santos, Luis Antonio Santos, Mona Santos, Kaloy Sanchez, Nicole Tee, Manok Ventura, and Olan Ventura.
Non-conventional art
Vinyl On Vinyl’s exhibition showcases artists who explore beyond conventional art forms, including pop surrealism, after-modernism, post-Internet, kinetic art, underground and street art, and other emerging and unexplored genres. The gallery’s space includes several immersive installations alongside works that invite discussion on social commentary and experimental techniques.
Exhibiting artists include Reen Barrera, Dennis Bato, Anton Belardo, Anjo Bolarda, Miguel Paulo Borja, Teo Esguerra, Doktor Karayom, Martin Honasan, Iyan de Jesus, Archie Oclos, Wyndelle Remonde, Roberto Sanchez, Tekla Tamoria, Tyang Karyel, Gabriel Tiongson, Pinky Urmaza, and Chalk Zaldivar.
