February is not just a celebration of love but also a celebration of the arts. Find out what are the upcoming exhibitions around Manila this month.
1335 Mabini
Known for being a multidisciplinary space for contemporary art in the heart of Manila, this gallery has brought the country’s name to different parts of the world including the 56th Venice Biennale in 2015 through Manny Montelibano. Now, Montelibano returns to 1335 Mabini for his solo exhibition on February 17. His exhibition is opening simultaneously with fellow artist Hong Soun.
Altro Mondo Arte Contemporanea
There are now only few days left for art lovers to see Olivia D’Aboville’s latest exhibition entitled, Surface. Be mesmerised with the captivating works of D’Aboville, which are hand-weaved abaca/polyester textiles that are pleated, stitched, and dyed to replicate fascinating landscapes like sand dunes in the desert, crashing tides, and more. It will be on view until February 7.
Archivo 1984 Gallery
Another exhibition you must see before it closes is Samantha Feleo’s 132134 where she took the Fibonacci sequence numbers as inspiration for her large scale pieces. Using themes of defiance, maturity, and life, the artist through her works tried to convey to the audience a hopeful message for the promises of the future. The exhibition will continue to be on view until February 6.
Art Cube Philippines
CCP Thirteen Artist Awardee Jaypee Samson highlights in his ninth solo exhibition his reflections and realizations out of bitter-sweet memories. Samson had his exhibition entitled Muni-Muni inspired by his growing up years in Ilocos, his personal love life (and break-ups), as well as wars and conflict. Muni-Muni opened on January 30 and will be on view until February 14.
Galerie Anna
In celebration of the Chinese New Year, Master Ceasar Cheng, who is the foremost authority when it comes to the Lingnan School Tradition of Chinese Painting in Manila, will exhibit his works at Galerie Anna in SM Megamall. In this group exhibition, Cheng is joined by other artists namely Lita Gelano, Nei Nei Hui Chun, Lupicinio Ng, and Myrna Rivera. Together, they will highlight the vivid and graceful brushstrokes of paintings done in this beautiful realist style that started during the first half of the 20th century.
Galleria Duemila
For months now, Impy Pilapil’s interactive art installations have adorned the walkways of Greenbelt Park. Get a chance to see these magnificent sculptures celebrating nature until February 27.
Secret Fresh
Egg Fiasco and JJ “EXLD” Zamoranos work together for the two-man exhibition, Second Skin, which will be on view starting February 7 until February 19. The exhibition explores the complexities underneath the mask of famous pop culture icons. The stylised portraits are stripped off of their original meanings, replaced with the artists’ personal symbolism, influence, and sense of local history.
Silverlens
Catch the works of Singaporean artist Genevieve Chua in her exhibition, Rehearsals For the Wilful, where she recounts her visual strategies evident in her series of paintings made over the last two years. Chua brought them together through their rhythmic pattern and undertones—an exhibition that as a big body of work is reflexive of itself. The exhibition will be on view until February 6. Besides Chua, see the works of other artists as well like Issay Rodriguez in Blueprints and Gary-Ross Pastrana in The Untamed Wall.
The Drawing Room Gallery
See the works of Japanese artist Yugo Isaji in his exhibition, Things Behind Things, where the objects presented were made using common consumer goods and daily-use products. Meanwhile, Roderico Jose Daroy in And. evokes a liminal space for the continuing present (and) that is persisting amidst the tenacity of death and decay (.), which invites the viewers to ponder on the beauty of life.
NOVA Gallery
Nemo Aguila and Errol Chill team up for 18 days prior the opening of their show, Arbitrary, both coming up impeccable, loud, and original works of street art. The works would be revealed on February 20 but art enthusiasts are also encouraged to come and visit the gallery during the preparation to see how the process unfold.
Art Informal
On February 11 to March 12, Cian Dayrit takes a different tack and approaches the now-familiar forms and formats of devotional paraphernalia in the country in Pasyon. Meanwhile,. Jonas Eslao explores the question, “Where do we go when we die?” and searches the answer from the varying perspectives of different religions. Lastly, Jason Montinola presents the pieces done in the absence of his struggles and the rules he has set upon himself.
Finale Art File
Romina Diaz in her show Stagnant Energies presents her photographs that capture the “life that does not now move but did once and promises to again.” Ranelle Diale’s Access Point revisits the idea of the library as an access point of knowledge despite the aggressive development of digital and virtual technology. Lastly, Keiye Miranda’s Labyrinthine revolves around the artist’s personal reflections on loss, life and death, memory and time. Her paintings point to how things can be momentarily purified, revisited, and seen anew amidst the momentariness of existence. The three exhibitions will run from February 4 to 27.