Car park turned into the premium destination for modern and contemporary Philippine art, that’s where Art Fair Philippines gets its unique charm. From initially being a marketplace, it has now evolved into a space where inspiration and individuality is embraced, more so encouraged.
Art Fair Philippines 2017
16-19 FEB 2017
5F / 6F / 7F / Roof Deck, The Link Car Park
Ayala Center, Makati City
website: http://artfairphilippines.com/
Curators of the Philippine Pavilion in the 15th Venice Architecture Biennale, such as Lendro V. Locsin and partners, were the ones who designed the overall exhibit.
Due to the increase of visitors, from 6,000 in 2013 to 22,000 in 2016, it has now an additional floor – an open-air roofdeck – dedicated for art talks.
With 48 galleries participating and a ton of remarkable artwork, this event is surely not to miss.
Here are a couple of artworks that caught my eye:
THE ONEIRIC TIME PIECE by Marc Aran Reyes
A series of visual narratives that tackles, if not challenges, the social construct of time.
THE ARDUOUS PAST by Marc Aran Reyes
60 x 120 inches
Oil on Canvas
THE WISTFUL PRESENT by Marc Aran Reyes
60 x 120 inches
Oil on Canvas
Being in the middle, it puts the series into perspective as it aims to balance the uncertainty shown in both the states of future and past.
THE AUDACIOUS FUTURE by Marc Aran Reyes
60 x 120 inches
Oil on Canvas
AFTER VELASQUEZ’S “LES MENINAS” by Roger “Rishab” Tibon
72 x 96 inches
Oil on Canvas
The charm of this painting isn’t based on the obscure objects that it portrays, but it is in the artist’s mastery of light and shadows, which makes these objects pop out.
THERE IS HOPE AS LONG AS WE CAN BREATHE by Arturo Sanchez
122 cm x 91.5 cm
Collage in clear cast polyurethane resin
Seeing this makes you want to hope, the artist was able to do this through the different faces that can be found here.
FOR THOSE I WILL LEAVE BEHIND 1 by Ronald Caringal
30 x 24 inches
Oil on Canvas
It is in the little details that make a difference. For this one, it is the written words “This will be misunderstood.” contrasted by the illustration that made its mark.
DISINTEGRATING GHOST PARTICLES 1 by Leonardo Onia Jr
30 x 24 inches
Pyrograph on Wood
The display of creativity shown here through the technique brought the vision into life.
UNDERSTANDING PICASSO by Demi Padua
60 x 48 inches
Acrylic on Canvas
It is no surprise that you would see something of Picasso, as he is one of the icons of modern art.
Other than having paintings and sculptures, it also has interactive art such as the wall of sound.
Truly, it is a safe haven for artists and art enthusiast as you have booths where you can buy art materials and books.
Some even took the opportunity to try the art materials and expressed themselves.
Modern art might be the hardest form of art for me to understand mainly because it says a lot with so little or everything, but I am delighted to see that people are taking the time to understand more of it, and even to the extent that they show support for local talent.
Art really is the true depiction of human stories, and the Art Fair Philippines 2017 is a true testament to this as it has shared stories of these artists to thousands of people, and hopefully to many more.
Hoping for more stories that will be shared in the coming years. The future for Philippine Art remains bright with this.
Art Fair Philippines 2017
16-19 FEB 2017
5F / 6F / 7F / Roof Deck, The Link Car Park
Ayala Center, Makati City
website: http://artfairphilippines.com/
Live an Awesome Life,
Disclosure: We were media guests of the Art Fair event. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights.