FROM national artists to emerging talents, from realism to abstractions, it’s a wide array of names and styles presented in the latest exhibition at Conrad Manila’s Gallery C.
Titled Figures & Forms, the massive group show features artworks from entirely private collections for the first time in the space’s “Of Art and Wine” series. The show opened on June 28 and is on view until August 27.
“We are delighted to celebrate Of Art and Wine’s 19th installment in the hotel’s 6th year of operations, which furthers our commitment in championing the Filipino artist and artistry,” said Linda Pecoraro, Conrad Manila general manager.
“As we continue to move forward, Conrad Manila remains steadfast in providing our guests with touches of well-curated luxury that inspire and showcase local tradition.”
A total of 21 artists are featured in the exhibition. According to curator and former Cultural Center of the Philippines president Nes Jardin, the idea was to find new owners for pieces from private collections. No particular guideline set, no theme to be followed.
“When I saw all of [the artworks],” Jardin said, “I thought it’s a panorama of Philippine contemporary paintings of basically four styles: realist, expressionist, figurative and abstract. Each one exemplifies these styles in terms of subject matter and various forms and figures. It’s a good study of Philippine Contemporary Art.”
Headlining the jam-packed roster are National Artists BenCab and Cesar Legaspi. The BenCab piece is a 2007 nude pastel sketch of a woman on her feet, hands behind her back, her gaze long. Meanwhile, the Legaspi is another nude pastel, but dated much earlier, in 1982. Portrayed is a woman resting on her right arm, body tilted sideways and bathed in blue light.
Jardin emphasized that despite Legaspi’s effective use of colors to signify and evoke emotions, he was, of course, color blind.
“When he was alive, he was describing that he only saw shades of brown and gray,” the curator said of the National Artist. “And yet, what is amazing about him is his color palette is so tasteful and so masterful. Despite the fact that he was color blind, his paintings appeared beautiful in terms of combination, in terms of intensity.”
Also part of the exhibition is Khristina Manansala, granddaughter of another National Artist, Vicente Manansala. Her works likewise focus on scenes and practices of Filipino culture, such as the domestic role of women in Tres Marias and Cinco Mujeres.
Elsewhere are even more local talents on display. Melissa Yeung, for instance, displays her prowess in abstraction in Mother and Child. Rodel Jacintos offers a meaty surrealist image in Allegory of the Raging Melody.
Part of the exhibition as well are Thomas Daquioag, Manuel Baldemor, Jonathan Rañola, Carrie Gonzales, Rudy Yu, Janice Liuson-Young, Joan Balboraona and Ianne Malate Guerrero. Also in the show are Andrew Tan, Joan Ian Lee Fulgar, Katrina Pallon, Katrina Cuenca, Rishab Tibon, Bobit Segismundo, Kublai Millan and Karen Acala.