Qube Gallery opens second art space

CEBU, Philippines - With its thrust to provide avenues for exposure and to extend support among local artists for the increased access to buyers, an exhibit presenter is eyeing new and emerging markets as potential gallery spaces to showcase various artworks of Visayas and Mindanao artists.

Following its first gallery situated at CAP Art Center along Osmeña Boulevard, Qube Gallery recently opened its second art space at The Persimmon Plus, a residential-commercial development of Aboitizland along MJ Cuenco Street, Mabolo, Cebu City.

According to Qube Gallery Chief Executive Officer Jon Kenneth Gotiong, local artists in the Vis-Min regions are having a hard time selling their artworks since they do not have enough promotional background and do not have stable connections to prospective buyers.

In support to both budding and successful local artists, Qube Gallery at The Persimmon Plus is considered to be a great contribution to the mission of supporting fine artists in Southern Philippines and in professionalizing the fine art industry south of Manila.

“In Manila, there is actually no platform for Visayas and Mindanao artists where various people can take a look at their artworks,” he added. 

In sync with the real estate and commercial boom in the locality, he noted that industry players are now looking at emerging markets such as offices, lobbies, commercial buildings, hotels, and condominiums.

Artworks created by local artists, he said, could actually address the market’s need for display and gallery spaces presented by Qube Gallery provide the option to have them discover such products.

He cited that they plan to invite possible street artists and reinvent murals inside restaurants.

Also, an exhibit dubbed as “BOHOL-BUHOL 2” has been launched at The Persimmon Plus last January 31 and will run until February 23.

 It is currently the fourth major exhibit presented by Qube Gallery after its first art show named as “Sinugdanan” which showcased the 130 works of 17 Cebuano artists at the Rizal Museum last October 18, 2012.

It was then followed with a yearend sale last November and the “Art @ the Park”, an open-air art exhibition that was held last December 16 at the Biliran Park in the Cebu Business Park District.

For the month of February, Qube Gallery plans to exhibit the works of a French artist next week and by the end of the month, conduct a dinner-for-cause with a gurantee to win an artwork as a prize.

BOHOL-BUHOL 2 features around 60 artworks of a vibrant mix of emerging and established artists who are either now based in Manila or are still based in their native hometown.

The 17 Boholano artists include Keith Ancog, Rhants Anunciado, Bethlehem Joy Bullen, Eric Catot, Henri Cainglet, Edgar Cornito, Guy Custodio, Jacquelou Curambao, Roi Ferre, Irish Glory Gallon, Joey Labrador, Glenn Lumantao, Carlito Masalta, Sam Penaso, Rico Tompong, Jeff Sisican and guest artist Melbourne Aquino.  

The exhibit showcases the wealth of Boholano artistry spanning a healthy breadth of genres from realist works that stress the island’s natural wonders to abstractions that have challenged the works of contemporary artists in the country and the world.

“The Boholano artistry, shall I say, is eclectic. Artists in the Visayas and Mindanao, in general, are actually new, independent and original. The Cebu market is honestly open and is willing to support local artists such as these Boholanos,” Gotiong stated.

Buyers could choose from various artwork displays that range from P100 to P500 000.

Exhibitors aim to sell half of the total number of artworks until the 23rd of the month.

Those that will be unsold will be held for 6 months in the gallery and some artists could opt to add new artworks to display at the Qube Gallery.

To heighten the awareness for the art industry, Gotiong further revealed that they aim to collaborate with the academe taking into consideration the latter’s reach and influence to the youth.

This March, they plan to gather all public school teachers in a convention on how to do art education.

They also intend to organize a talk on copyright to protect artists and a forum on how to improve colors, art quality and to compete with other artists.

Another Qube Gallery space is expected to be put up in Makati this May and hopefully will be succeeded with the fourth one in Davao within this year, he concluded.  (FREEMAN)