Finding contemporary Filipino artists, paintings, and photography

Finding contemporary Filipino artists, paintings, and photography

My wife and I visited Modeka Creative Space in Makati for my birthday, where they launched “Open House” featuring 25 talented artists. We saw works by Archie Geotina, Auggie Fontanilla, and more. And we were pleasantly surprised to learn about two more artists at Modeka, as there was another exhibit at the event called “Are We Alive or Just Existing”. The exhibit featured art by Jane Cuevas and Summer De Guia.

Summer De Guia

Summer de Guia's "Sinners Judging Sinners"
Summer De Guia’s “Sinners Judging Sinners”.

I liked the old gothic Catholic feel of the art by Summer De Guia at the exhibit, with the gold crosses and candle holder which really pops out in her “Sinners Judging Sinners” work. In the painting there is a woman pouring what seems to be blood from a bucket labeled “Holy”, onto another woman on the floor. Another person looks on with a scroll where “sinner” is checked, indicating where the judgement has come from.

In what ways have I been judgemental of other people, particularly women? How has Catholicism in its message “thou shall not judge”, been aligned or hypocritical to its own messaging? How have women, femininity, femininity in men, been all cast to judgement over the years through today?

Follow Summer De Guia:

Jane Cuevas

Jane Cuevas' "Character, Interest, Counsel and You"
Jane Cuevas’ “Character, Interest, Counsel and You”.

I’m a sucker for color and linework, and Jane Cuevas’ work was a feast for my eyes. I also love it when artists incorporate a frame of some sort in their work (I’ve only seen this done one other time by Francis Nacion here). In Cuevas’ work “Character, Interest, Counsel and You,” it can be a bit fun guessing or interpreting which of the figures are the “counsel” or “you”. I particularly loved the pets or animals portrayed in the art, as well as the floral and patterned motifs all throughout.

Jane Cuevas' "Anticipation of Reward"
Jane Cuevas’ “Anticipation of Reward”.

In Cuevas’ “Anticipation or Reward”, I wonder if she is portraying herself in the art, either waiting for the rewards of being a successful artist, or maybe appreciating the rewards she has already received… or maybe her heart is bleeding because being an artist is just really hard work!!

Follow Jane Cuevas:

Archie Geotina

Archie Geotina's "Ikit’s Rise" (top) and "Maricel Mood" (bottom)
Archie Geotina’s “Ikit’s Rise” (top) and “Maricel Mood” (bottom).

I’ve actually seen Archie Geotina’s work at some point when it was shared widely on social media on Independence Day in 2021. His PEARLS series at Modeka features Siargao surfers (and sisters) Ikit and Aping Agudo, and Maricel Parajes. Ikit Agudo is a 2019 SEA Games Silver Medalist, while their father is also an avid surfer at 65 years old. The series is a collaboration with other photographers as well.

Archie Geotina's "Maricel’s Steeze"
Archie Geotina’s “Maricel’s Steeze”.

In this artist description of Archie Geotina it describes why the surfers wore the Filipiniana while surfing, and what it symbolized:

“Throughout the history of the Philippines, women in formal Filipiniana wear were considered meek, shy and weak. Here, the muses are captured in their element in all their glory, PEARLS truly captures the essence of the strength and resilience of Filipina women in this country.”

Follow Archie Geotina and the PEARLS project:

Lourd De Veyra

Lourd De Veyra's "ENGELBERT HUMPERDEATH"
Lourd De Veyra’s “ENGELBERT HUMPERDEATH”.

Lourd De Veyra is a well-known journalist and broadcast personality, but I never knew he also made artwork as well. His artwork “ENGELBERT HUMPERDEATH” depicts people enjoying a moment of neighborhood videoke while in the shadows are faces and figures of deprived or haunting characters. Tentacles stretch out slowly wrapping around the surrounding homes.

Follow Lourd De Veyra:

Auggie Fontanilla

Auggie Fontanilla's "Tukso"
Auggie Fontanilla’s “Tukso”.

We’ve already seen Auggie Fontanilla’s work both in galleries and on the street, like his “Manila Cristos” in Binondo, Manila. So we weren’t surprised to find more of his work at Modeka.

Auggie Fontanilla's "Public Market"
Auggie Fontanilla’s “Public Market”.

Follow Auggie Fontanilla:

Romeo Lee

Romeo Lee - Untitled IV top and VI bottom
Romeo Lee’s “Untitled IV” (top) and “Untitled VI” (bottom).

Also learned about Romeo Lee and his artwork that seemingly portray different worlds, and sometimes worlds of our own. Turns out he has been an artist for decades, and is regarded as a pioneer in the Pinoy punk scene in the early 1980s. He is also a long time member of the UP Mountaineers.

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Modeka’s “Open House”

The artwork at “Open House” and “Are We Alive or Just Existing?” started last August 13 and ends on September 6. Do check it out before the exhibits end, and see all the great art in person!

More art exhibit blog posts



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