It’s always a treat to walk through an art gallery filled with amazing works by different talented painters and sculptures. But unlike museums, Art in the Park gathered all aficionados in one place where they can shop for art and also interact with the artists and curators present there. But whether they were buying or just digesting every piece while strolling, they all shared that satisfaction of being around and seeing a bunch of works in one setting. (Also, props to those who braved the afternoon heat to get there early.)
We spent an afternoon at the one-day event, and we’ve rounded up six pieces and galleries that stood out for us before the sun started to set.
#1 “Art Is Long, Life Is Short” by Daniel dela Cruz
Upon entering the park, guests were greeted with life-size candle wax sculptures. These sculptures all had lighted wicks on the tops of their heads which slowly melts them throughout the day, leaving them with deformed and melted faces.
Anyone who saw those sculptures definitely felt a deeper meaning in them which resonated to how temporary life is. Truly something that’s probably etched in people’s minds.
#2 The shirts being sold by Avellana Gallery
Aside from the artfully-shot nude photos pinned on the side of their tent, what also caught my attention were the shirts being sold by Avellana Gallery. At first, you’d think they were just ordinary shirts, but they also encouraged people to use the markers they had so they can go around and ask different artists to sign their shirt. It’s like taking home a piece of everyone who participated in the event.
#3 “Saging Lang Ang May Puso” by John Paul Duray
A friend of mine told me that it was the first time that Pinto Gallery joined Art in the Park. Naturally, since I’ve never been to Pinto before, I wanted to see what they had displayed. And among those all the paintings, we found a table lined with porcelain statues of people with bananas for heads. These small sculptures looked like a play on what love does to people―and yes, it does make most of us bananas―and the heartache that goes along with it, matched with Filipino humor.
#4 Interactive metal sculpture by Sam Penaso and Joe Geraldo
Playing along with the live music in the park was, surprisingly, one of the metal sculptures from Sam Penaso and Joe Geraldo’s tent. The sculpture was hooked to a small amp so that the sound which resembled a kettle drum would be heard by anyone passing in front or those who were eating nearby.
#5 The paintings inside Mendez Big & Small Co.’s tent
One thing I always associate Big & Small Co. with is their teddy bears and how cheery they look. They did display a couple of teddy bear paintings in their tents, but the other works were far from the child-like idea I had. Some of the paintings had somewhat a more mature feel than those innocent dolls I always saw, as well as contemporary renditions of famous people like Marilyn Monroe and artist Salvador Dali made by various artists.
#6 Caricatures by Apol Sta. Maria and Gabie Osorio
Since the event is also an interactive space between artists and spectators, there were also artists like Apol Sta. Maria and Gabie Osorio who made caricatures for people who approached them so they can take them home as souvenirs. There were also similar artists who stationed themselves everywhere in the park to paint people who were roaming around the park. Cool, right?
Photos by Paolo Tabuena