This year’s Art Fair Philippines was a hub of inquiry, challenging attendees with questions like “Is illustration considered fine art?” and “Is print dead?” while revisiting the legacies of influential figures in the art world.
Here’s a glimpse into the thought-provoking exhibitions that refreshed perspectives on the local art scene.
Conceptual use of photographs
Fotomoto’s conceptual show titled “Print is Dead, Long Live Print” playfully questioned the relevance of digital photography in an era dominated by screens.
“Neal Oshima came up with the title,” explained Sandra Quan, one-half of Fotomoto’s curators; the other was Stephanie Frondoso. “We worked with photographers and artists whose practice is photo-based, so that means there’s an object. Now a photograph can get lost in the digital, but it can be printed. The question here is how do we show it.”
The conceptual works in the show provided a lens through which we could appreciate the value of photographs not just for their aesthetics; these included Jason Quibilan’s “Movement No. 2,” a locomotive piece that paid homage to the first ever film, and James Clar’s “Sensor Calibration (Color Checker Chart)” (2024) which, despite not being a traditional print medium, was based on a color checker chart used in photography.
Fotomoto’s exhibition expressed hope that photography could be considered a category of a creative medium, apart from being archival objects.
Literature + visual arts
Art books are typically seen as collectors’ items reserved for those who have budgets that could match the price of an artwork. But this artist-run bookstore takes a fresh approach to extending the life of an artist’s practice.
At the Istorya Studios booth, Rodel Tapaya and Marina Cruz provided a hands-on experience, replicating their Guiguinto-based studio and bookstore. This innovative exhibit showcased original card games and print publications crafted by them. Throughout the weekend, visitors engaged with the card games and browsed books for sale.
The event was highlighted by the launch of new works from 13 award-winning artists, including Archie Oclos and Doktor Karayom, with their books “Mga Walang Pangalan Pero Andyan” and “Grade 3,” respectively. These publications are part of Istorya Studio’s debut series, “Tagpo,” which also features “Bayan ng Ginhaw: Ang Pabrika ng Mga Maskara” by Tapaya.”
Istorya Studios exemplified a novel approach to extending the reach of artists’ works, one of these being Cruz’s “Sandaang Damit,” which delved into the stories behind the dresses she has painted since 2009. The inclusion of an artist-run bookstore offered visitors a perspective on how art is immortalized in print and democratized for more people to enjoy.
Remembering Rod. Paras-Perez
Rediscovering the multifaceted legacy of Rod. Paras-Perez, a pivotal figure in the Philippine art scene, this mini-retrospective illuminated the breadth of his talents as an artist, curator and critic. The exhibition spanned a diverse array of his work, including paintings, woodblock prints, ceramics and the influential books he authored. Notably, it featured personal items from the artist-curator’s estate, such as original artworks utilized as book covers and his handwritten notes, offering a rare glimpse into his creative process.
This retrospective aimed to humanize Paras-Perez, presenting him not only as a prolific artist but also as a seminal author whose works remain foundational references in Philippine art history. His contributions to the literature on renowned artists like Fernando Zobel, Juvenal Sanso and National Artists for Visual Arts Vicente Manansala and Federico Aguilar Alcuaz, among others, have cemented his status as an indispensable resource for art scholars.
Described by his former mentee Jeannie Javelosa as a “lone intellectual” during the artist talks, Paras-Perez was remembered by colleagues and contemporaries for his reputation as a forthright critic. With time, however, his critical insights and contributions have been reevaluated, now celebrated for their profound impact on the understanding and appreciation of Philippine art history.
This mini-retrospective offered a nuanced appreciation of Paras-Perez’s legacy, shedding light on the depth of his intellect and the enduring significance of his writings.
Beyond decorative art
ArtFairPH/Incubators highlighted the evolving landscape of art, where artists presented their work as both functional art and merchandise. This setting intrigued the younger crowd, who were excited to see their contemporaries in action and to perceive art as something that transcends mere decorative purposes.
Villarica Manuel, one of the artists at the Manila Illustration Fair, had some reservations, stating, “There were those who found it unusual for us artists to be selling merchandise.”
Beyond the confines of the art fair, illustrators have embraced the model of creating merchandise to showcase their works. This is evidenced by the burgeoning number of art markets that provide illustrators and young artists with a valuable head start, such as Komiket and Patron of the Arts, among others. The presence of the Manila Illustration Fair at Art Fair Philippines brought inspiration to illustrators who aspire to straddle both the fine art market and the commercial market. It reinforced the idea that illustration constitutes fine art, even when marketed as merchandise.
This is not to be confused with the equally relevant art and collectible merchandise at the reception of the fair that can be accessed even without a ticket. Speaking of tickets, this year’s access to the fair didn’t seem to faze the art-loving crowds despite increasing to P750 from P450 for a day pass.
Spotlight on Pangasinan artists
Camaraderie among rising and award-winning artists from Pangasinan was prominently displayed in Ballayon, a term from Bolinao meaning “deep sea waves.” This exhibition showcased a captivating collection of surrealist portraits and sculptural pieces, celebrating the rich talents of this region.
Highlighted artists included Ben Albino and Sariel Ancheta, both semifinalists at the Metrobank Art and Design Excellence awards, alongside Jerry and Herwin Buccat, who have been both finalists and honorable mentions in the GSIS National Art Competition in various years for Painting and Sculpture. Prince Logan, speaking on behalf of the group, said, “We all came together and pooled our resources to realize this exhibition,” despite their last-minute inclusion in the Incubator space. Their successful effort underscored a collective ambition to support and promote the arts within Pangasinan, fostering a strong community spirit among artists, regardless of their individual affiliations, united by their shared roots in the province.The carefully curated selection of projects and artist-run spaces featured in ArtFairPH/Incubators played a pivotal role at Art Fair Philippines. It stimulated discussion on public perceptions of art, and highlighted talents who are actively exploring and redefining the evolving boundaries of art within the local scene. —CONTRIBUTED INQ
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