Stories of Dreams and Realities
Please refer to the exhibition catalogue to find this collection of works produced by contemporary and eclectic Filipino artists, assembled by the Drawing Room in Manila, exhibited in the heart of Mayfair at the Rossi & Rossi Gallery (June-July).
Martin Clist, co-ordinator at Rossi & Rossi shares his impressive knowledge of the artists and their works (paintings, sculptures and installations) with my friends and I as we look over each artwork. Renowned artist Alfredo Alquilizan’s ‘Landscape Painting’ is in fact made up of one painting (not several paintings) that he had bought, cut up and framed individually. There are suddenly 40 or so different scenes, 40 or so different stories for the viewer to imagine.
A gleaming steel installation (Lirio Salvador) of spoons and cogs is hung on a wall. It is a reinvention of material and purpose: an intricate, decorative steel guitar connected to an amp which you can pluck at!
I remember how self-fulfilling looking at art can be, how much I appreciate a form of expression that makes up for when one is lost for words. Although it is a private experience, it is great to share with others. The innate dedication in the artist and his/her art to empower the observer to imagine and create is selfless.
Most of the artwork from ‘Stories of Dream and Realities’ has been sold to both Western and Asian customers, awakening the world to contemporary Philippine art – an international success. We leave the gallery in hope that Filipino art continues to arrive to London.
Mabuhay!