15 must-sees at ManilART '23
MANILA, Philippines — ManilART ’23, the national art fair, is ongoing at the SMX Convention Center, SM Aura Premier in Taguig City until October 15.
It celebrates its 15th year with the theme “A New Contemporary,” which pays homage to the past while propelling the fair into its exciting future. Bridging the past, present and future, ManilART ’23 provides fair-goers the opportunity to marvel at the works of established artistic forefathers and, at the same time, interact with those of next-generation immersive artists under one roof.
The flagship project of the National Commission on Culture and the Arts, ManilART ’23 has been perfectly timed to coincide with the Museums and Galleries Month this October.
1. Orlina Art Cars (Pre-function Lobby/SMX Entrance)
At the lobby, you will be greeted by Ramon Orlina's captivating art cars, creations by and collaborations with the celebrated glass sculptor. These painted vintage cars channel the vibrant colors and psychedelic styles of the 1970s and provides a sneak peek into Orlina's profound passion for vehicles and three-dimensional artistry.
They are a preview of what is to come when the Orlina Art Car Museum is finally ready to open its doors to the public.
2. Champagne Fountain by Ramon Orlina at The Estate Lounge (Hall 1 Lounge)
The Ledesma Champagne Fountain graces The Estate Makati Lounge at ManilART '23, serving as the centerpiece of The Wine Room. With its peridot hues designed to enhance the allure of sparkling wine, it adds a multisensorial experience to the visual and gustatory appreciation of wine.
Partner Novellino Wines, a proud Filipino brand, supplies the fountain with super-chilled, free-flowing Vivace Sparkling White Wine. The Estate Lounge, meantime, gives visitors a sneak peak of the luxury and opulence of their soon-to-stand prime Ayala Avenue address that will come adorned with the art of Filipino masters.
3. Ali Alejandro Digital Art Installation (Hall 1 Lobby, LED stage)
Stepping into the future, the exhibition features new media, phygital art and augmented reality, including Ali Alejandro's Installation Art, presented on a large LED screen. Through this new media, digital artists like Alejandro have limitless possibilities to project illusions of reality, utilizing materials that span from projections to sculptural pieces. Alejandro specifically created his digital art installation to celebrate 15 years of ManilART.
4. Ombok Villamor Art Gallery (Booth A1)
Inside the main exhibit hall, sculptures by its owner-namesake artist Ombok Villamor resemble tessellations of corals, forming organic shapes that evoke both surreal and contemporary elements. His recent works convey the dynamic energy and beauty of aquatic life, inspired by his surroundings on the shores of Samar in the Philippines.
5. Marge Organo and Raisa Luz at Galleria Nicolas (Booth A2)
Galleria Nicolas showcases the works of a mother-and-daughter duo of glass sculptors, Marge Organo and Raisa Luz.
Organo, a collector favorite at ManilART, creates contemporary abstract works that evoke relatable and intimate scenes, captivating viewers with her generous use of color. Luz, for her part, specializes in kiln-formed glass art, producing opalescent and transparent glass pieces that highlight her commitment to the craft and artistic development.
6. Romulo Galicano and Portrait Artists Society of the Philippines (Booth B2)
Galicano, the country’s top figurative realist, delivers another masterpiece in his ongoing Climate Change series that offers social commentary about the spate of catastrophic changes in the world just in the past two decades with his work “The Messengers of Geoengineering.”
He leads Portrait Artists Society of the Philippines (PASPI), a group dedicated to realist/romantic realist style in painting and portraiture based out of Manila and Cebu. Many notable painters today emerged from the group.
7. Artes Orientes (Booth C1)
This exhibit highlights the vibrant abstractions of Macoy Coching.
Grandson of National Artist for Visual Arts Francisco Coching, the scion, a graduate of the University of Sto. Tomas College of Fine Arts, Macoy has since made a name for himself with his distinctive colorist abstractions.
In “La Luna Llena,” his signature waves set the stage for Moonscapes – depictions of full moons glowing above serene, iridescent waves. In high contrast are the steampunk works of sculptor Ram Mallari Jr. Brute force and size grab the viewer’s attention with his statement pieces. Flawless execution of an eight-foot tall Spartan warrior makes Mallari’s mastery of the style and medium evident.
8. Junyee, Vinluan and Aviado (Booth A7)
The Artologist presents a triumvirate of the country’s most senior artists, including Luis “Junyee” Yee Jr., Nestor Vinluan and Virgilio “Pandy” Aviado.
Yee is hailed as the “Father of Installation Art in the Philippines,” celebrated for his lifelong dedication to documenting Filipino life and creatively using indigenous materials. Dean Vinluan’s work, meanwhile, embodies his visual thinking style — works that bring abstraction to a higher, spiritual plane. Aviado is renowned as the top figure in Philippine printmaking, leaving an indelible legacy in the medium.
9. Featured artists at the Annual Sculpture Review (Booth B5)
The Annual Sculpture Review, an annual gathering of Filipino sculptors now celebrating its 19th year, showcases the most innovative works of its collection at the national art fair.
Among those featured is Roen Capule, known for his surrealist subjects crafted from metal and molded resin. Wood master Agi Pagkatipunan is back with his highly-imaginative functional art that uses only the best local hardwoods.
Meanwhile, Jinggoy Salcedo delivers a forest of trees in stainless steel and borosilicate glass. More glass of the highest artistic caliber is delivered from the House of Orlina led by the patriarch Ramon Orlina, with scions Anna Orlina and Michael Orlina, who themselves have created a following for their distinctive work in the medium.
10. Espacio Manila (Booth B6)
It features young and veteran artists side by side. The works of Jerika See and Jean Govinda Marquesto stand side by side with those of Mayi Penaflorida and Roger San Miguel.
Penaflorida’s doll-faced characters make intriguing wall mates with See’s top view slice-of-life scenes and contrast with San Miguel’s traditional figurism and Marquesto’s abstraction.
11. RDS Gallery (Booth D3)
Danny Rayos del Sol's eponymous RDS Gallery is a mainstay at ManilART and is a must-visit every year. He is an artist known for his prolific ostrich egg art and has ventured into the canvas medium, incorporating fresh techniques that blend figurative painting with collage, interspersing traditional subjects with distinct Filipino weaves.
12. Jose Tence Ruiz at Galerie Artes (Booth D6)
Bogie Ruiz is back with his acerbic social commentary with the work “Neo-Makapil in Blue Croc,” alluding to an icon of shame in Philippine history. He is now clad in Birkins and Louboutins, and the visual rant goes on.
The multimedia painter, sculptor, illustrator, designer and performance artist never fails to deliver a punch with his strong composition and bold colors.
13. Entre Blanc: A Multisensory Exhibit (Booth D7)
Entre Blanc returns for its sophomore edition, offering an interactive exhibit that engages viewers through multiple senses. Thirteen visual artists collaborate with a music composer-producer, drawing inspiration from his music to create unique artworks. This immersive experience of sight and sound resonates on multiple levels, exploring inspiration through different senses.
14. Adeste Deguilmo at Daloy Likha (Booth D8)
International award-winning painter Adeste Deguilmo is another pride of Cebu, who studied under the Cebuano master Martino Abellana. He brings his figurative canvases portraying traditional subjects into more contemporary style under the banner of gallery and publisher Daloy Likha.
15. Invitational sketching by masters (Hall 1 Lounge)
An event rather than a permanent booth is the on-the-spot invitational sketching, which takes place at the Estate Lounge on October 14, Saturday afternoon, with top portraitists including Raul Isidro, Hermes Alegre, Caloy Gabuco, Gig de Pio, Celso Pepito, Al Perez, Cee Cadid, and Jun Impas. Special sitter will be Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano wearing a Filipiniana dress.
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