In the Philippines, art deco found its way through the architects who had studied in America and Europe such as Juan Arellano, Andres Luna de San Pedro, Juan F. Nakpil, Tomas Mapua, Pablo Antonio, and Fernando Ocampo. They incorporated local motifs in their art deco designs of theaters and cinemas, hotels, apartments, mansions, schools, and government buildings.
A major exhibition of Baguio art, Gongs. Smoke. Blood.Earth explores “the history and cultural contexts” of Baguio art since the founding of the Baguio Art Guild in 1986. With the participation of 30 artists at the Ateneo Art Gallery, the exhibit will run until 20 July 2025. Kawayan de Guia and Nona Garcia are guest curators.
Jose P. Alcantara (1911-2005), described as “the last maestro of traditional wood carving,” is best known for his masterpiece, a large-scale relief narra wood panels that used to adorn the Philam Life Auditorium in Ermita, Manila. Today, Alcantara’s masterpiece is displayed at the National Museum of the Philippines.
The Ateneo Art Gallery (AAG) presents A Synergy of Ventures: The Post War Art Scene, an exhibition that commemorates the birth centennial of Fernando Zobel (1924-1994), the founding donor of the university’s museum. It runs until 12 July 2025.
What is annatto? We call it achuete, from the Nahuatl word achiotl, a native of tropical America, introduced to the Philippines by the Spanish. Annatto comes from the seeds of the achiote tree (Bixa orellana), a natural dye with golden yellow to orange-red hues. Its nickname, lipstick tree, comes from its use as cosmetic.
Provocative and raising more questions than ever, Head Against the Wall is Johanna Helmuth’s solo exhibition at West Gallery, 48 West Avenue, Quezon City, until 10 May 2025. Featuring 10 oil paintings and a wood sculpture, it presents a transitional moment in coping with inner conflicts. How do you deal with it? Will it ever
It is the artist’s 44th solo exhibition and her first one at the National Museum of the Philippines titled Phyllis Zaballero: Landscapes of the Mind at Gallery XV1I, 3/F National Museum of Fine Arts.
Author Christina Lee states that there is “no definite documentary evidence” that proves Magellan brought the image of the Santo Niño to Cebu and gave it to Humabon’s wife.
In a recent talk at the Ateneo Art Gallery’s ArtSpeak, Finding the Familiar in the Foreign, Geloy Concepcion announced his project for 2025: To go around the archipelago and document the everyday lives of Filipinos, like a diary.
Reviving the use of natural food wrappers and natural packaging instead of plastics may offer a sustainable solution, albeit a small one, to our planet and ourselves.
