Beyond Borders
A Celebration of Philippine Art
2 - 11 June 2006 at The Substation,
45 Armenian Street, Singapore
Famous Filipino artists on exhibit in Singapore.
Singapore. Art Sentral Asia in association with BNP Paribas Private Bank and Lee Foundation present a celebration of contemporary Philippine art with new paintings and ceramics by some of the Philippine's leading contemporary artists. The exhibition will highlight the colour, dynamism and diversity of Philippine art and represents a cross-section of the best in contemporary Philippine art today.
The exhibition, the first of its kind in Singapore, will feature more than a two dozen new works by 14 participating artists, including internationally renowned national artists BenCab and Arturo Luz and exciting, emerging young artists Mark Justiniani, Marcel Antonio, Elmer Borlongan and Christian Tamondong.
The exhibition, the brainchild of Melannie Syquia-Hizon of arts 'eventologist' Art Sentral Asia aims to bring Philippine art to a wider audience. In a unique concept, Art Sentral Asia approached a selection of leading Philippine artists, inviting them to each create 2 new works, solely for this exhibition in Singapore. Says Ms. Hizon, “Much of contemporary Philippine art never leaves the Philippines because new work is snapped up quickly by the local private collectors. We want to give collectors and art lovers across all of South East Asia the opportunity to see and collect outstanding new Philippine art.”
Several of the artists featured, including contemporary masters BenCab and Luz, and emerging artists Marcel, Justiniani and Borlongan have waiting lists for their new work. Their works appear regularly at auctions by world renowned houses Christies, Sotheby's and Larasati.
BenCab is one of the Philippine's most well-known painters, internationally recognized and back in Singapore after a sell-out show at the Singapore Tyler Print Institute earlier this year. Arturo Luz, born 1926, is one of the Philippine's great masters and known for his semi-abstract works. He has exhibited extensively throughout the major art centres of the world. Malang, now in his late seventies is one of the Philippine's most important twentieth century modernist painters.
Alongside the master painters are the next generation of master artists – the Philippine's new emerging artists. Marcel Antonio, a rising star, is one of the most promising modern Filipino painters. He has had both critical and mainstream success for his vivid modern expressionism and mysterious themes. Mark Justiniani with his whimsical and colorful art works, brings out the surreal in life. Also included will be paintings by Elmer Borlangan who paints figurative works and Emmanuel Garibay, known for his raw, arresting images and strong expressions of Filipino spirituality. Christian Tamondong's works depict an intensely colourful and enchanted world of child-like spontaneity.
Two women artists are featured in the show - Lydia Velasco's work explores the story of a heroine struggling in a predominantly male environment and Winnie Go – a potter whose mostly hand-coiled works have a distinctive personality.
The 14 participating artists are: BenCab, Arturo Luz, Malang, Romulo Olazo, Marcel Antonio, Mark Justiniani, Elmer Borlongan, Christian Tamondong, Lydia Velasco, Emmanuel Garibay, Wilfredo Alicdan, Hemes Alegre, Allan Jay Balisi and Winnie Go.
And to give the Singaporean and expatriate communities a better understanding of the inherent value of Philippine art, there will be an art walk lecture by Singaporean Art Museum Assistant Curator Ms. Joselina Cruz on June 3, Saturday, 3 pm.
BEYOND BORDERS is in association with BNP Paribas, PSA International, Lee Foundation, Tiger Airways, PLDT Global (Singapore), Larasati Auctioneers. The exhibition is supported by the American Women's Association, Friends of the Museum, The Filipino Ladies Group, and Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
About Art Sentral Asia
Art Sentral Asia is an art eventologist focusing on the promotion of the Philippine visual arts. Its aim is simple - to bring Filipino art to the world, giving Filipino art and its artists a higher profile within the global arts and cultural community.
Art Sentral Asia's exhibitions are no ordinary art shows. They are exhibitions that reach out, educate, and inform art lovers and collectors about the meaning and inherent value of Philippine art. By doing so, it aims to reach out and promote cultural and educational interaction and understanding within a diverse community.
