This year’s ManilART opens today with the theme “Crossing Borders.” The all-inclusive, we-are-all-family theme means galleries are now hanging stuff by non-Manila based artists. Last night’s gala opening revealed a lot of works by the usual suspects that, while beautiful and precious, failed to fire up our imaginations the same way pieces from these out-of-towners did:
1. Zhang Yuxi
The 33-year-old artist from Beijing is famous for his “tri-eye yellow boy,” a character that makes a regular appearance in his paintings, a symbol of hope and positivity. God knows we need that in these trying times! There’s six works on display at ManilART, with the most imposing being “Life and Time” (topmost), a 12-panel painting measuring 158cm x 432 cm.
CHECK IT OUT AT: City Art Gallery
2. Brian Michael Reed
This Shanghai-based New Yorker uses the lotus root — a Buddhist symbol as well as an auspicious Chinese New Year food — in his works, which at ManilART ranges from paintings on rice paper to colorful and tiny diamond-shaped sculptures. At the opening night, he wore a bespoke coat and shorts made of a colorful red lotus root-dotted fabric he personally designed.
CHECK IT OUT AT: Renaissance Art Gallery
3. Clarence Chun
Born in Tacloban City but informed and influenced by Hawaii, the 39-year-old homecoming artist loves the beach and video games — and you see that in his works that evoke ocean waves and sci-fi cinema. His muted color palette is interesting, some inspired by the golden sunsets of his island home.
CHECK IT OUT AT: Gallery Big
4. Raymond Legaspi
We’ve watched the steady of rise this Bacolod-based former ad man’s artistic career, which began with his colorful ‘daster’ series. He’s been consistent: he only paints big, fat women and in these works on display at ManilART, the fat lady leaves the house to get some fun under the sun.
CHECK IT OUT AT: Ysobel Art Gallery
5. Santiago Caruso
The Argentinian artist’s collectors include director Guillermo del Toro and the surreal painting is one of many works by European artists in a show curated by Cabanatuan-based artist Gromyko Semper.
CHECK IT OUT AT: Endangered Visions
Photos: Oscar Nava
ManilART 2014 runs from Oct 16-19, 10am-10pm, at SMX Convention Center Taguig. Tickets at PHP200, www.manilart.com. Coconuts Manila is a media partner.
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