One of Southeast Asia’s most well-known tourism destinations is the Philippines, which is slowly rising to fame. Beyond its beautiful beaches and its tenacious people’s endearing grins, the nation is home to Quezon City, an incredible centre for the arts. This city is the place to be if you are an art aficionado who is constantly yearning for contemporary art.
a reflection of the imagination, romance, struggle, tenacity, and passion that Filipino artists are known for.
The city bears the name of a past president, and for 28 years it was the nation’s capital. Due to its size and population, Quezon has had an impact on the history and development of the area surrounding Metro Manila. It is also one of the most well-known cities for having a thriving art culture. There are numerous contemporary and commercial galleries there. Local artists from the country’s numerous cities, regions, and islands have a platform thanks to the galleries. They too offer opportunities for cooperation.
Currently, Quezon City is proud to be the birthplace of the following galleries:
Blanc Gallery
The bold and creative Blanc Gallery has featured both domestic and foreign artists. The most talented Filipino painters have come from there. It has clearly come a long way since its 2006 founding.
Green Papaya Art Projects
Green Papaya, which was established in 2000 by Norberto Roldan and Donna Miranda, has seen hearts on fire. It is a stand-alone enterprise with a focus on intellectual discourse, exchange, and modern arts.
Light and Space
They exude a lot of energy, and their passion for contemporary aesthetic exploration is contagious. The gallery expands on conversations across social, cultural, and artistic backgrounds by working in partnership with other creative institutions to examine the intersection between art, theatre, and film.
Art 19B
Carina Guevarra started collecting art, which led to the establishment of this gallery. 19B is her house number. She was able to exhibit and even sell a variety of artworks right from her house. She had to relocate to a larger facility in Cubao as the gallery flourished. A terrific venue to experience art and start your journey as an art collector is Art 19B. The gallery owner’s initial goal was merely to express her intense love of art. It continues to be a source of inspiration and awe in many different ways.
West Gallery
A gallery noted for the variety of art forms represented in the exhibitions, its curatorial talent is outstanding. Both artists and admirers have been moved by it.
There is a lot to discover with all of these galleries specialising in various art genres and styles. The abundance of art galleries in the city only serves to highlight the significance of the arts to the culture, evolution, and development of the area.
Rodel Tapaya
In large-scale paintings, contemporary life and folktales are combined… In fact, Tapaya is currently among the most well-liked musicians in the Philippines. Cane of Kabunian won the 2011 Signature Art Prize for his piece Numbered But Cannot Be Counted (2010), which is well known.
In addition to winning prizes, Tapaya has demonstrated the grandeur of Philippine mythology, the enduring value of storytelling, and the strength of contemporary man in pushing the boundaries of his imagination. Additionally, Tapaya’s other well-known works serve as reminders of human values.
His creations serve as constant reminders of the citadel where openness and Filipino heritage meet.
Ronald Ventura
Ventura is well-known for an artwork that sold for 11 million US dollars at Sotheby’s Hong Kong and depicts the complex Philippine culture. He was inspired to produce the most sincere and great works by the nation that was colonised by numerous nations for hundreds of years. Ventura has distinguished himself by being unafraid to speak his opinions on important topics.
Ventura continues to be a major source of inspiration for young artists who feel that art has the power to create movements and communicate critical messages.
Alfredo and Isabel Aquilizan
Due to their enormous work, “Flight,” the artist couple Alfredo and Isabel Aquilizan have gained attention on a global scale. Their art touches people deeply because it is centred on themes of memory, community, displacement, and migration (to which so many Filipinos can relate to).
It’s wonderful to learn about these two. Their creations are innovative and fun while also being incredibly reassuring, sentimental, communal, and emotional.
Gary-Ross Pastrana
All things are in fact temporary; their identity, physicality, appearance, and use all depend on a general consensus, which is a fabrication in and of itself. This is the central idea of Pastrana’s works. He is renowned for conceptualising familiar objects by disassembling them. One of his best-known pieces is “Two Rings,” which depicts a sword constructed from his mother’s melting rings.
Pastrana encourages aspiring artists to simply go where their imaginations and curiosities lead them. to constantly find beauty in the ordinary.
Mark Salvatus
Mark, co-founder of 98B Collaboratory, has made significant contributions to the national and Manila art scenes. His writings address urbanisation and contemporary politics. The works of this multidisciplinary artist include interactive projects, installation, photography, drawing, and video.
Artists who think that a country may be characterised by its streets are inspired by Salvatus. He can be creative in any format.
Louie Cordero
Cordero creates weird and hilarious multimedia. He draws inspiration from the blending of native customs, American popular culture, and Spanish Catholicism that is prevalent in the Philippines. His expression has a really unique quality, and those who see his work will find him to be truly memorable. “My We,” one of his most famous pieces, was displayed in the 2011 Singapore Biennale. It includes numerous artworks regarding his viewpoint on the recent killings of Filipinos and karaoke renditions of Frank Sintara’s song (videoke).
Cordero is a symbol of the resilient Filipino character. Even during the most challenging moments, they can always find comedy.
They are just five of the countless creative artists bringing life to the regional and global art scenes. If you give it some more thought, you’ll see that Filipino artists have a lot to offer. The Quezon City art scene and all of Manila are brimming with diversity, a good kind of lunacy, and originality.
It is inextricably linked to what the city is: a nexus of the ancient and the new, a witness to the constantly evolving metropolis full of jeepneys and harried citizens, a hub for trade, pastimes, and passions. Quezon City merits your time and attention if you’re exploring Manila.
Allow your spirit to be touched, pushed, tickled, and fueled as you let your feet meander.
Read more: Why Berlin Is The Most Fascinating And Fun To Explore Art City In The World