#manilart

“Art can be Filipino yet universal.” - Romulo Galicano

The consistency of the Filipino artist in the past decade, both in the local and global scene, has been a key factor in re-establishing the Philippines as a cultural powerhouse in Southeast Asia.

Whether at art shows, in auctions, or even in social media, Filipino artists have featured prominently. It is this achievement that this year’s ManilArt is looking to underline when it kicks off on October 13-15, 2017 at the SMX Convention Center, SM Aura Premier in Taguig City. Established in 2009 by the National Committee on Art Galleries (NCAG) of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), ManilART 2017 will be highlighting Mindanao. This year’s ManilART will give center stage to Mindanaoan artists as well as works about Mindanao.

I was happy I was able to catch the last few hours of this wonderful gallery. I’ve always been a fan of art appreciation, but I am also amazed on how people interpret artworks differently -- the reason why every time I go to art fairs like this, I always make it a point to feature not only the artworks, but also the audience themselves. 

ManilArt, a culture resulting from a tumultuous past of diverse foreign influences, the country’s rich history that had shaped its distinct culture and artistic flavor. From the indigenous, Muslim and Catholic traditions, to those with European influences, Modernism and contemporary slant, a broad range of works can be seen in this year’s exhibition. The show serves to highlight the country’s wealth of creativity in the visual arts and how it contributes significantly to expanding the artistic frontiers of the region. It showcases works of vibrant new upcoming talents, as well as iconic masters of the Philippine art scene. 

ManilArt 2017

#ManilArt2017 manilart.org