Verso Manila Contemporary Filipino Artists in Turin
The Art Directors of Verso Artecontemporanea have decided to combine Italy's first big exhibition of Filipino artists with the opening, to the public and the world of contemporary art, of their new exhibition centre in Via Pesaro, 22.
The exhibition is the result of Verso's collaboration with The Drawing Room gallery of Makati City and showcases work which cuts across a number of generations. It focuses mainly on those artists who have significant experience of exhibiting at an international level, as well as others who will be added to the list of newcomers, and whose work is so far only known to art specialists.
The exhibition will be developed using a horizontal and synchronous model, covering more than a dozen artists. Care and logic was applied when selecting the paintings, drawings, sculptures, installations and related performances from the myriad of choices offered by the contemporary art world. The same criteria was applied consistently by the curators of the two sections in order to offer the wider public a snapshot which, although certainly not exhaustive, can provide a representative and contemplative view of the regional art scene.
Artistic creativity in and around the capital city, Manila, has experienced a big boom in the last years, driven by an ever growing number of independent exhibition centres; a melting pot of art, design, fashion, villages, artist workrooms and galleries. This climate has allowed many new collectors to emerge, acting as vessels for this explosion of creativity. What are rarely seen, however, are galleries and museums working together or public and private entities collaborating and sharing ideas. Nevertheless, this land which is so afflicted by poverty is also blessed with many young talents. Young artists who have looked beyond the myths and values of the past and discarded an insular and self-referential approach, choosing instead to challenge and renew their language, as well as their focus on analysis and investigation.
Filipino artists draw their inspiration in equal measures from pre-colonial and contemporary culture. The transition between the two cultures is characterised by traumas, tensions and a search for the right balance between the need to reassess their cultural identity and honour their Asian roots. The scenario depicted is one where people return to their own lands, after many seasons spent as emigrants, and take stock of the changes; a phenomenon which has affected more than eight million Filipinos.
There is reference to primitive art and the sacred icons of the country’s main religion, Catholicism, as well as a strong preference for scrap and plain materials, achieved through constant and vibrant communication with the streets and urban and popular sources. This is the common language spoken by the artists in order to remain faithful to their cultural heritage, one which is however laced with models and experiences of contemporary art and which represents the change in direction towards a global form of expression.
The identities of the contemporary Filipino artists are explored in all their social and poetic depth: the artworks all evoke current themes, be it political or social, focusing on emigration, urban marginalisation, the environment, travelling, fiction, memory and history. Now to Jose Legaspi’s powerful and disturbing images, which merge together sex, religion and violence through a form of mystical and disturbing form of painting. Kiko Escora’s paintings cut across several media: posters, reviews, images on placards and fashion reports; all used to uncover the souls and lifestyles of the urban icons of contemporary Manila. Objects which have been used and thrown away, charged with past experiences and memories: this is the central theme of the installations and concepts of Alfredo and Isabel Aqulizan, which focus on the relationship between full and empty spaces. This pair of artists is already known within the international circuit of the bienniale art shows and have participated in, among others, the Venice Biennale of 2003. The brutal oil portraits of young artist Winner Jumalon, included by the Cultural Center of the Philippines in the list of the Thirteen Artist Awardees in May 2009. The paintings of Rodel Tapaya, characterised by a lively yet always original choice of colours, which portray elves and anthropomorphic beings from long-gone magical places. The assemblages/sculptures of Lirio Salvador are working musical instruments made of recycled material, which come to life again during musical performances. These instruments are played – and will be played for Verso – with the Philippine musical group Elemento. Young Leeroy New, who has just taken part in the most recent Singapore Biennale, displays his attraction for sci-fi and futuristic art forms. These are just a selection of the many artists whose work will be on display, for the first time in Italy, at Verso Artecontemporanea between 4th November and 21st January 2010.
Featuring works by:
Marina Cruz
Kawayan De Guia Kidlat De Guia
Alfredo Aquilizan
Isabel Aquilizan
Kiko Escora
Alvin Gregorio
Dei Jardiniano
Winner Jumalon
Jose Legaspi
Maya Munoz
Wawi Navarroza
Leeroy New
Diokno Pasilan
Lirio Salvador
Mark Salvatus
Rodel Tapaya
Sample Works:
Untitled
Kiko Escora
Inmortal
Wawi Navarroza 2007
In God We Trust
Alfredo & Isabel Aquilizan 2009
Date: November 4, 2009 - February 13, 2010
Venue:
Verso Artecontemporanea via Pesaro 22
10152 Torino - ITALY
