LIST: Check out these gallery exhibits, art shows this National Arts Month
Every February, National Arts Month is celebrated in the Philippines to honor the country's unique heritage and culture and showcase Filipino artists' creative brilliance. This observance was established through Presidential Proclamation No. 683, issued by former President Corazon Aquino in 1991.
Anchoring on the theme, "Ani ng Sining, Bayang Malikhain," this month's celebration seeks to put a spotlight on and embody the idea that the rich harvest of arts in the Philippines comes from the products of Pinoy's imagination, creativity, and style.
Don't miss out on immersing yourself in the beauty of art this month. Head to these exhibits and gallery shows for a truly "ARTforgettable" experience.
Galerie Stephanie and Cartellino
Known as one of the leading artist-centered galleries in the Philippines, Galerie Stephanie recently opened its new location featuring three simultaneous solo exhibitions by Filipino pop-surrealist Mr. S or Mark Jeffrey Santos, Bandung-based visual artist Addy Debil, and Japanese hyperrealist Hideo Tanaka.
Meanwhile, Cartellino, being the country's first art e-commerce website, has opened its first physical gallery space after four years, featuring over thirty of its artists in the gallery show called "Little Paper Show." This show will present "all the works, words, and aspirations" of Cartellino, which "constitute the broad history of the platform."
Located at Level 6 East Wing of Shangri-la Plaza at Mandaluyong City, the four exhibits will be on view until Mar. 3, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
ALT Philippines 2024
More than 200 contemporary artists, including well-known foreign artists and up-and-coming local talents, will have their works on display at ALT Philippines 2024, happening from Feb. 21 to 25 at SMX Hall A in Pasay City.
It features "fresh perspectives" on contemporary art from nine Metro Manila-based art galleries that come together for the 2024 edition of ALT Philippines. These include Artinformal, Blanc, The Drawing Room, Galleria Duemila, Finale Art File, MO_Space, Underground, Vinyl On Vinyl, and West Gallery.
Public days of viewing will start on Feb. 23 to 25. Tickets are available on-site or online for only P250.
Ateneo Art Gallery
The Ateneo Art Gallery is hosting "Void of Spectacles: Reflections on Passages Through Time and History," a captivating exhibition featuring three infinity installations by Filipino artist Mark Orozco Justiniani. These include the Gallery Children's Biennale (National Gallery Singapore, 2017-2021), Kinderbiënnale, Japanisches Palais, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen (Dresden, Germany, 2018-2020), and the Philippine Pavilion at the 58th International Art Exhibition La Biennale di Venezia (Italy, 2019).
The exhibit, which runs until July 6, marks the first time all three infinity installations have been exhibited in the country.
The public viewing is at the third-floor galleries of Ateneo Art Gallery located at Soledad V. Pangilinan Arts Wing in Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City, from Mondays to Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Bobapalooza Music and Arts Festival
How about some good music to go with art?
Bobapalooza 2024 is returning for two full days of live music performances and seven visual artists' live artwork.
Happening at the Filinvest City Event Grounds in Alabang on Feb. 24 to 25, the two-day festival will feature local and musical performers, including Rico Blanco, Pale Waves, and The Itchyworms for Day 1; and Atarashii Gakko!, The Band Camino, and Urbandub for Day 2.
Among the artists behind the live art portion of the festival are EGG FIASCO, BLIC, Distort Monsters, Syn, Mimaaaaaaaaw, SYN, CHNO, and Isad Diwa.
Tickets are available via SM Tickets and are priced at P4,900 to P7,030.
BalinTanaw
Another art exhibit you can check out this National Arts Month is the BalinTanaw, the first group exhibit by the Silaw Artist Collective.
Nestled on the 4th Floor of Eastwood City's Citywalk1, the exhibit will feature six paintings in oil, four mixed media of ballpoint pen and acrylic on canvas, two illustrations in colored pen and ink, five watercolor on paper, and two prints of NFT Art as well as a collection of "yet another artistic introspection" by the four founding members of the collective such as Alvin Dennis Cristobal, Eric David, Mentis Maris, and Benedicto Modesto.
The exhibit will open on Thursday, Feb. 29, at 6:30 p.m. and run until Mar. 26 this year.