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The Perfect Gift
A JOYOUS SEASON
Galerie Joaquin opens its holiday show "A Joyous Season" on Tuesday, December 16. The group exhibit celebrates Christmas with a return to the essentials, a fitting way to cap the year. "The opening coincides with the first day of Simbang Gabi because we believe that even in these changing times, traditions and values are deeply rooted in us as a people," says the show's curator Camille Abello.
Despite the inevitable calamities the country braved this year and the uncertainties and challenges ahead, the need for a strong message of hope is greater than ever. As a response to the shocks of the global economic downturn, the Philippines hopes to cope better than its Asian neighbors in this time of crisis. Philippine art in particular has enjoyed phenomenal success in auctions of Southeast Asian art, a sign that local artists can hold their own and join the ranks of the region's best. According to Abello, "many investors are now considering art as an important investment alternative. Not only are their resources secured when they acquire an artwork, they can even appreciate it in the comfort of their residences or offices."
"A Joyous Season" runs until December 31, 2008 at Galerie Joaquin, 371 P. Guevarra Street corner Montessori Lane, Addition Hills, San Juan. For inquiries, visit www.galeriejoaquin.com or call 723-9418 or 723-9253.
Included in the exhibit are works by Juvenal Sanso, Arturo Luz, Mario Parial, Lydia Velasco, Dominic Rubio, Jovan Benito, Nell Campos, Aileen Lanuza, Amador Barquilla, Crisanto Lodronio, Joselito Dayono, Alan Rapsing, Ronino Quinto, Chubern di Loretto and Glenn Cagandahan. As several of the artists saw a bumper year for their pieces in regional auctions, the gallery's last show for 2008 also serves as a thanksgiving for the continued support and enthusiasm the artists have received from art afficionados here and abroad.
Among the featured artworks are the unhurried Yuletide preparations depicted in the whimsical "Simbang Gabi" series by Benito, the merriment of townsfolk in the colorful "Parol Vendors" by Barquilla, a light moment in the heroine portrait "Goldfish Martini" by Lanuza, and the study of form and color "Harmonized Imaginings" by Sanso.
"As a nation, we have much to be thankful for," says Abello. "We salute the resiliency of the Filipino people and offer this show and the individual works themselves as joyful reminders of the year's blessings." |
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