Demi Padua's almost forgotten show at the Leon Gallery
The DF Art Agency and the Leon Gallery International staged another impressive and breathtaking show. This time, dahlings, it’s the solo exhibition of the celebrated Filipino artist Demi Padua titled “Almost Forgotten.”
Demi, who hails from Bulacan, is considered one of the country’s most sought-after contemporary artists.
In his latest show, Demi’s pieces are inquisitive of the parts that are hidden and obscured, as they delve into the personas who have diminished from the spotlight in his “All the World’s a Stage” orchestra pit.
His mixed-media artworks instinctively pieced together faces, encounters and experiences to retell the stories of the almost-forgotten and unsung heroes with all their honor, valor and selflessness. In all, Padua’s masterpieces are testimonies to the artist’s unswerving pursuit to tell the tales of those who may be bordering on the obliteration of memory.
I was delighted to see the personalities who came to witness Demi’s works, palanggas. With the impressive crowd, the guests were still observing health protocols. Of course, the Padua family came in full force, with Demi’s wife Leah, son Lei David, mother Librada, aunt Milagros Espiritu and sister Bernadette Lopez.
Also spotted were gallery owner Don Quibilan, businessmen Paolo Roman Perez and Tim Tan (who was featured in Larry’s List as one of the Philippines top international collectors), the gorgeous Trickie Lopa of Art Fair Philippines, businessman and new collector Anton Engwa, Geoff De Boissieu (who was overjoyed to get a Padua work after three years of waiting, palanggas), Jericho Mendez Lim, mom Nelly Lim, Melot Sunga, J Studio’s Jia Estrella, Authenticite Manila owner Dennis Robles, Dr. Liz Medina and husband architect Gilbert Medina, artists Sam Penaso, Reen Barrera, DF Art Agency’s promising artist Tita Halaman, Ian Anderson (who will have his solo exhibit at Leon Gallery International this December), Carlo Cu Unjieng, beauty expert Xeng Zulueta, PR practitioner Tedrick Yau, social media expert Jim Guzman, Atty. Tonico Manahan, lawyer Alex Rivera, and financial executive Jhong Dela Cruz.
We missed the company of Jaime Ponce De Leon and Robbie Santos, who were both abroad. But surely, the show is an extraordinary feat, palanggas! And I have heard from my good friend Derek Flores of the DF Art Agency that he still has more than 30 names on his waiting list alone. Oops… my lips are sealed.
I can’t wait for the next show! Till the next one.
