Itinerant Iterations

March 7 – 26, 2020

Opening Reception
Saturday, March 7 | 7 PM

Galerie Roberto
Unit 4, Molito Lifestyle Extension Building, Madrigal Avenue corner Commerce Avenue, Alabang, 1776 Muntinlupa City

𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗧 𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦, an international art exhibit featuring the exceptional works of Filipino artists –

𝙍𝙚𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙤 𝙃𝙖𝙗𝙪𝙡𝙖𝙣, 𝙅𝙚𝙝𝙤 𝘽𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙤𝙧, 𝙍𝙚𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝘿𝙚𝙡𝙖 𝘾𝙧𝙪𝙯, 𝙏𝙤𝙩𝙞 𝘾𝙚𝙧𝙙𝙖, 𝘿𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙘𝙤𝙮 𝙈𝙞𝙚𝙡, 𝙋𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙜𝙤𝙩 𝙕𝙪𝙡𝙪𝙚𝙩𝙖. Together with 6 guest artists from different countries, Gala Caki (𝙎𝙚𝙧𝙗𝙞𝙖), Jintana Piamsiri (𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙), Made Palguna (𝙄𝙣𝙙𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙖), Katrin Hamann (𝙂𝙚𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙮), Michelle Dawson (𝘼𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙖) , and Kazi Sahid (𝘽𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙡𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙝)

Current social dispensation as aided by advancements in technology marks a
radical shift in forms of exchange. Transactions have become more fluid, from trivial personal interactions to serious political engagements. The world appears interconnected, yet the more fundamental concepts of shared humanity, respect for identity and unity in diversity are truths and truisms rarely observed in the midst of warring ideological, religious and economic standpoints.

This conflict, this eternal struggle for harmony and co-existence does not only affect the marginalized or the oppressed, but the more sensitive elements of society as well. Cultural producers and artists included are (as products of history) wont to respond. And in this climate of uncertainty, art is increasingly being redefined as to its purpose other than its own end. Meaning-making has become more diversified as art’s merit does not revolve around its formal qualities alone. The means by which art attains significance now encompasses not only innovation and originality of vision, but social dimension and relevance as well. And despite the art market’s often unscrupulous intervention, artists continue to assert art’s autonomy as they reconfigure how it is produced and distributed/consumed, allowing for a more democratic and alternative platforms to flourish. One such platform among the many (such as artist-run spaces, ephemeral art practices, community-based interactive projects etc.) is the artist-initiated event or gathering of artists in the form of exhibitions cum workshops cum festivals. These events thrive on sheer camaraderie and ingenuity that do not depend on institutional financial support. As such, artists themselves share the burden of logistics and monetary expenses if only to make the same significant cultural contribution as institutionally-funded projects do. This practice has been in vogue especially in the Southeast Asian region since the early Eighties. And at this juncture, it is but apt to acknowledge the Asian International Art Exhibition (AIAE), the Philippine International Performance Art Festival (PIPAF), the Asia Art Link (AAL) and a host of other events that followed suit. They all brought together artists of varied origins and cultures to foster better understanding through artistic collaboration and interaction.

In Itinerant Iterations, the aim is to expand the horizon by showcasing the works of artists beyond the region. Six Filipino painters namely: Renato Habulan, Toti Cerda, Jeho Bitancor, Dengcoy Miel, Pinggot Zulueta and Reynold dela Cruz are exhibiting alongside with Katrin Hamman of Germany, Michelle Dawson of Australia, Kazi Sahid of Bangladesh, Made Palguna of Indonesia and Richard Streitmatter-Tran of USA/Vietnam. Mostly painters, working in Representational/Figurative manner, these artists shared an affinity with socially and politically engaged works. They have cultivated a visual language that effectively mirrors the various tensions and aspirations of their respective countries while at the same time reflecting the world’s condition at large. Each has his/her own imprint of seemingly codified imagery, yet their works resonate with universal truths and contradictions such as vulnerability, alienation, degradation, displacement, consumption and a hint of redemption at the same time.

If there is a marked similarity in these artists’ practices, the means by which their art is disseminated or shared is also mostly the same. They all take part in art events and exhibitions in different venues outside their own countries, bringing with them unique aspects of their artistic innovations and historical perspectives. This, while contributing and absorbing the wealth of experiences and technology to and from the countries they have visited. This interconnectivity is what propels a meaningful exchange.

Itinerant Iterations is about persistent utterances. It is about the possibility
of affecting change by recognizing commonalities and differences as a means to
assess/assert our shared trajectories.

-Jeho Bitancor 2020

For inquiries:
📞8-809-1630 | 📱0998-595-5764 / 0905-314-6448
📧 galerie.roberto@gmail.com | www.galerieroberto.com