“Stories Within” by Michael Cacnio
Galerie Joaquin Rockwell
October 20 – 30, 2026
Galerie Joaquin Rockwell is pleased to present “Stories Within”, an exhibition by Michael Cacnio that showcases the artist’s legacy through a collection of interactive brass works.
A normal encounter with a painting or sculpture assumes visual presence—either the work hangs or stands, and the viewer approaches it at will. “Stories Within” challenges this mode of interaction. Each sculpture sits inside a closed wooden cabinet, inviting the viewer to open its doors and discover what lies within. The act disrupts the idea of viewing art at a measured distance. Rather than simply looking, viewers must physically engage with the work, becoming active participants in the encounter.
This gesture evokes a philosophy of space where Cacnio’s cabinets function as miniature rooms: private containers where memories are housed, stories concealed. Then we open the doors and see Cacnio’s signature brass characters embodying scenes of domestic and familial life. Sculpted anonymously, the figures have smooth, featureless faces, deliberately placing expression onto their posture, motion, and accompanying objects. Further, the cabinets’ smooth, dark wood finishes direct the viewer’s attention inward, while simultaneously serving as a threshold for privacy, restriction, and contemplation.
Cacnio thus structures his works not merely to be visible, but to perform, to invite conversation with the viewers. In essence, the exhibition is a participatory act, one in which human touch becomes integral to the encounter. Stories Within invites connection and reflection, prioritizing dialogue over spectacle and monumental scale.
“Stories Within” by Michael Cacnio is on view at Galerie Joaquin Rockwell from October 20–30, 2026, with an Artist Reception on October 24, Saturday at 5 PM. The gallery is located at the R3 Level, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Center, Makati City. For inquiries, contact Galerie Joaquin through @galeriejoaquin on Instagram or Galerie Joaquin on Facebook.
