Art Fair Philippines 2022 is back in a big way. With its mix of physical and virtual exhibitions, the 10-day event running from March 23 to April 1 has a truly impressive roster of artists. Along with Art Fair’s main physical exhibition space at the Ayala Triangle Gardens, 46 local galleries and six international galleries will also be joining.
Not sure which exhibitions to check out first? Here’s a list of works by some of our favorite women and queer artists that you shouldn’t miss.
AR Art Trail: “Aparisyon”
Curated by the Daata online gallery, “Aparisyon” is described as a digital-meets-physical exposition inspired by the Philippines’ thriving speculative fiction scene. The augmented reality art trail, which can be accessed through the Daata AR app, includes commissioned work by multidisciplinary artist Leeroy New and author Eliza Victoria.
The exhibition is named after Leeroy New’s own artwork. Known for his wearable sculptures and installations, New’s discarded plastic bottles sculptures are brought to life in this AR trail.
ArtFairPH/Projects
Cavite-based wood artist and painter Tyang Karyel’s “Playtime Paradiso” is an installation that mimics a corner of a Filipino neighborhood. The “talipop-pop” is constructed with candy colors and eccentric signage that takes inspiration from local vintage packaging.
Aside from the funky woodwork, the exhibit also showcases collaboration “ukay” pieces with designer Salad Day. Join the kalye dance parties where they blast budots music on your visit.
Painter Johanna Helmuth’s “Nakasalalay sa Lakas ng Dasal” is made up of both paintings and sculptures that evoke the solace of personal worship and healing through nature. Faith takes a bit of a center stage with her giant sculptures of candles cast in resin.
ArtFairPH/Residencies
Visual artist Derek Tumala’s “Chasing the Center” is a long-term project on weather and its surrounding points of interest. The Manila Observatory’s artist-in-residence created a portal made up of “thoughts, imageries and found connections on how the weather is a crucial part of our history, culture, and society.” It has an accompanying website for full immersion.
Visual artist and interdisciplinary designer Jao San Pedro’s “A Fold in the Horizon” is a collaborative project examining the body and its capacity, the transgender binary code, and structure. Movement artists Abee Manotoc, Adam Klecheski, JB Estrada, Mia Cabalfin, and Reef Liggayu were featured in this film by the Emerging Islands artist-in-residence. She also collaborated with music producer Crwn and director Simon Te.
Visual artist Hannah Nantes’ exhibition under the Linangan Art Residency is made up of “figurative paintings and atmospheric assemblages” that tackle “existential anxieties” during the pandemic. She uses found objects to create eerie imagery on dealing with conflict.
ArtFairPH/Photo
Art Fair’s “Tattoos, Ternos and Couture: A Celebration of Philippine Fashion Photography” is a photo exhibition curated by Mark Nicdao, Neal Oshima, Michael Salientes, and Gio Panlilio. Works of various fashion photographers are projected onto a sculptural screen.
Among the photographers featured are BJ Pascual, Cenon and Mav, and Renzo Navarro.
ArtFairPH/Talks
In the ArtFairPH/Film x Daata talk, trans technical 3D artist Jira Duguid and new media artist Jeremy Couillard will meet virtually to create a game space together with their creations. They will discuss video games as art and its role in culture.
You can catch the Zoom event on March 25 at 4 p.m.
Photo courtesy of Art Fair PH
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