Welcome to the biophilic art jungle

The 10 featured artists in the project section curated by Norman Crisologo this year are:

• Faye Abantao, “a Bacolod-based artist working with archival prints and photographs which she interweaves, using origami techniques, collage,” says Lisa.
• Kiko Escora whose works are described as “portraits of modern society.”
• Mark Andy Garcia, who works with “beautiful landscapes with figures that are ethereal and symbolic, and relate to his own experience of life, with a strong faith component.”
• Raymond Guevarra, who’s “well known for his boxes which integrate a lot of pop culture toys from the ‘90s and many of them have a mechanical component,” says Lisa, “so each row is like a nice microcosm of nostalgia.”
• Pow Martinez whose paintings are “funny, a little grotesque, super colorful, like a commentary on urban life, and vignettes of society.”
• Yeo Kaa whose popular cartoon-like figures show “traces of anime, very feminine, very colorful,” with “sometimes an undercurrent of violence,” will feature three-dimensional works as well as paintings.
• Peter Zimmerman, a Germany-based artist who builds up layers of epoxy paint in his abstract work, has created a special piece for Art Fair 2023.
• Rosario Bitanga, now in her 80s, is known as one of the first female abstract artists in the Philippines and will be featured in the Special Projects section: ”She’s still very active, and her work has been enjoying a resurgence.”
• Eisa Jocson is “a very interesting artist who deals with dance, movement, movement language, body language,” notes Lisa. “She uses it as a way to explore gender and identity.” A winner of the 2018 Hugo Boss award, she weaves macho dancing, pole-dancing, and “Disney entertainer” modes into her performance.
• Yunizar is an Indonesia-based artist whose work “has a lot of symbols, will be bringing us icon paintings, cast bronze sculptures, animals and human figures.”

The roof deck exhibits are co-presented by BPI, which “sees the works of these talented artists not only as cultural expressions but also as art forms for investing in the future: it is history in the making,” says Jenny Lacerna, BPI product & sales head of Unsecured Lending and Cards.

With 63 exhibitors from the Philippines and beyond, a greater emphasis on art from the three main island clusters of the Philippines (Luzon‘s no Space, Visayas’ Orange Project and Mindanao’s Panit Bukog), and new sections devoted to film (a session with filmmaker and historian Nick Deocampo) along with a tribute space to key gallerists Albert Avellana and Norma Liongoren who have passed away, it’s an expanded vision, 10 years on.

Ayala Land, BPI, Globe Platinum, and Don Papa Rum (which sponsors the Residency project spawned by the COVID lockdown) return as key sponsors.

A new look adds to the mystique. “The idea of biophilic coming in after the pandemic situation is exciting,” says Dindin. “Of course, we wanted something new and fresh. And the artists were excited about rethinking the terms of installing in a space that wasn’t a white box. How do you hang in a space with curves, with halls flowing into each other?”

Reflecting on 10 years of Art Fair, Trickie says, “Our vision has always been expanding the audience, so we tried to provide a guiding light, and when the audience caught up with us, it’s basically been about increasing their scope, upping the bar for them. And so that’s been a challenge but, at the same time, there’s always room to do something new.” She was pleased with the positive response to local gallery hops in last year’s hybrid Art Fair, and aims for 10 Days of Art to repeat and enhance that experience. “So we encourage your people to start the week by visiting the galleries in their location, and end the week at the Art Fair” from Feb. 17-19.

Be there.

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Art Fair 2023 tickets can be purchased in advance at www.artfairphilippines.com. Tickets are also available at the reception area of Art Fair PH from Feb. 17 to 19. For schedule and updates, visit www.10daysofart.com. Follow Art Fair Philippines on Instagram and Facebook.