Contemporary Filipino art making it big in Singapore.
Step aside Feng Zhenjie, and make
way for Juanito Torres, Dominic Rubio, Daniel Dela Cruz and Manny
Garibay. They are the emerging breed of contemporary artists from
the Philippines that are making a buzz here in recent years, giving
the ever-strong Chinese contemporary art a run for its money. So
what is it about Filipino contemporary art that has caused a stir
among collectors and gallery owners alike?
“Filipino art stands out for its
strong technical skill and is also interesting for its diversity,”
explains Dr. Pwee Keng Hock, a partner of gallery Utterly Art.
Allan Teo of Momentous Arts agrees, “Much of what has come out of
China tends to be much the same, while Filipino art has more
variety in terms of art styles and themes, and is more expressive
in color.”
Art galleries here which
specializes in Filipino art, like Utterly Art, say many of the
works have been flying off the walls at shows, mostly bought by
local collectors. “It is the one market now that seems robust, and
we happily report healthy enough sales in spite of the fact that
the economic crisis has made a dent in buying overall. The high
cost of Chinese artists has driven collectors to look for more
reasonably priced artwork. The money for one Chinese artwork can
purchase 10 Filipino artworks,” adds Pwee.
I-S rounds up the Philippine art shows that are
happening at the moment.
This exhibition features the moody
portraitures of Andres Barrioqunto who presents a collection of
different women, depicted in either a vast landscape or in a bed of
flowers. May 21-31. Utterly Art Exhibition Space, 2/F, 229A South
Bridge Rd., 6226-2605.
Filipino artists Rene Robles &
Manny Garibay present their collaborative paintings which show the
artistic style of both artists in a single canvas. Each artist
asserts his subjects and style, merging them seamlessly in the
paintings. Through May 23. Momentous Arts, #02-01 Lor. Telok,
6535-3961.
A painter of epic scenes and
proportions, Filipino artist Juanito Torres creates large-scale
fantastical narratives of the people he meets in unlikely and
surreal situations, from senior ladies enjoying a tango with young
dance instructors, to children smiling impishly. Through May 17.
Utterly Art Exhibition Space, 2/F, 229A South Bridge Rd.,
6226-2605.
Posing the question “How should
one look at the 21st century?” to the viewers, Filipino painter
Jose Tence Ruiz reworks the commonplace definition of the ballroom
in his new series of artworks. He reconfigures it from the center
of ultimate celebration and merry-making to a symbol of
extravagance and artificial glee against a blu-screen. Jun 19-Jul
10. Artesan Gallery + Studio, #02-01, 793 Bukit Timah Rd.,
6469-7818.—Zaki Jufri