ManilART

We are lucky to score some tickets for this year’s ManilART fair which took place last week. This was my first time attending, but it turns out it’s the country’s largest and longest-running visual arts show.

(For more photos and in-depth thoughts, become a Patron and check out my post on ManilART.)

The first artwork we saw when we arrived was “Prince Char” by Pamela Gotangco. A play off the Filipino slang “charot” or “kidding” or “joke”, and Prince Charming. It’s a frog with a crown (the crown prince) and behind it were all these other frogs dressed in different clothing symbolizing men. It’s an offshoot from the artist’s earlier work called “Tinder Prince”, where each frog was framed in a Tinder-app-looking UI interface.

Since I create art highlighting Philippine wildlife, I was definitely on the lookout for Philippine wildlife art. Here are some artworks highlighting Philippine Eagles, Tarsiers, and the Tamaraw (October is also Tamaraw month!) “Hardworking and dedicated Tamaraw” by Monnar Baldemor.

Philippine eagle and sea turtle by JP Pining.

I was happy to see Pining’s work because he was one of the few younger artists whose works I was at least familiar with. His pieces are mainly composed of shapes and bold lines with colorful gradients. Follow more of his work on Instagram. Another favorite of mine at the show was Francis Nacion’s work, whose frames were carved by talented artists from Betis, Pampanga. “A very peaceful moment” by Francis Nacion.

Juxtaposed against a backdrop of expensive artwork, wealthy elites, and one of Manila’s newest malls and cities, were pieces that reminded people (hopefully) of the grim realities outside the walls of the fair. Unfortunately these pieces were few and far between. Like this amazing sculpture of a human head with stacks and stacks of informal settlements on top of it, like a crown.

What is really on his mind? This is “Kingdom” by Chito Borja. Taking a closer look, I realized that the “houses” and “buildings” were made of rusted staple wire.

There were lots of great art. Some random, some impactful. For my Patrons, or those interested in becoming one, you can read my complete write-up on my Patreon.