Niig

An exhibition of intimate conversations

February 9 – March 2, 2019

Artist reception
Saturday, February 16, 2019 at 6 PM

Sigwada Art Gallery
1921 0roquieta St. Sta Cruz, Manila, Philippines

“Niig” translated in Filipino/Tagalog means a private conversation between two people. In this exhibition we have invited 10 artist couples to create a collaborative piece with their significant other and give their take on intimate moments between people who love each other and what it means to have two voices singing the same song, two hearts beating the same rhythm.

Humans have a general desire to belong and to love, which is usually satisfied within an intimate relationship. Artists are chosen to express these feelings visually so as to give us insight on what it is to be in a relationship. Vulnerability, tenderness, and the mysteries only two people are allowed to witness at a time.

In our history, the term Niig was used to mean a conversation between “mag-asawa” or married couples, but in modern language can be used to mean sexual relations. Niig evolving with the culture and modernization, we have a chance to redefine the word and give it new meanings- a conversation between loved ones whether they are married or not, a strong and undeniable connection between two people, or even the language that couples who have been together awhile create amongst themselves; a secret language of love, if you will.

Some notable artist couples that have created their dialogue in art are Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera – Known for their irascible temperaments and troubled relationship. They painted each other for 25 years, those works give us an insight into their relationship. Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner – Two of the best known American artists of the 20th century, this power couple inspired and influenced each other throughout their relationship. Gilbert Proesch and George Passmore – The Anglo-Italian artist duo first met in 1967 at the Saint Martin’s School of Art, where they both studied sculpture. Known for their unique and elegant appearance, as well as for their bright, photo-based art, Gilbert and George live and work together in Spitalfields, as they have done for the past 40 years. Robert and Shana ParkeHarrison – a collaborative duo for the last 20 years. They combine Robert’s background in photography with Shana’s interest in dance to create fantastical works that examine our effect on the landscape. And finally, Christo and Jeanne-Claude – write that their projects “come from ideas from their two hearts, and two brains.” The enduring partnership has stood the test of time, and they’ve completed about 20 projects together.

“Pagniniig” is a rare and special moment that can be expressed in many ways. This exhibit is an attempt to bring that conversation into the visual realm and to see the stories of love with each couple, and we know that each piece will tell their own intimate story.

~ Diana Aviado

Featuring the works of the following artist couples:

Mideo M Cruz x Racquel de Loyola
Joum Valera x Mara Herrera
Rem San Pedro x Pamela Hopilos
Bryan Araneta x Mara Sabado
Jonathan Cena x Jean Sioson
BLIC x Yeng Cruz
Diana Aviado x Luigi Azura
Myke Montañez x Cham Cristobal

Organized by Mara Herrera & Recci Bacolor
a Rezureccion Art Project presentation
https://www.facebook.com/Rezureccion/

Sigwada Art Gallery
https://www.facebook.com/sigwadagallery/