PORTRAITS, CATHOLICISM, AND MORE

The exhibition has three themes: “Portrait of the Filipino,” “Treasury,” and “Art and Design.”

On the ground floor are paintings and photographs of Filipinos, both young and old, acclaimed and unknown, including the recently controversial indigenous tattoo artist Whang Od and her portrait by photographer Jake Verzosa.

The portraits of Filipinos are complemented by scenes of war, the everyday life, crises, struggles, and aspirations.

On the second floor is the “Treasury” where are found icons and iconography of Catholicism including ivory saints, colonial paintings, and vestments. The second floor has both holy and eerie vibes.

The third floor features an amalgam of paintings, installations, and jewelry by contemporary artists.

“In contrast to the other areas of exhibition, the focus here gradually shifts towards other forms and patterns,” said the artist’s note.

Here, there are folk designs, the bululs or granary gods of the mountains, fine art, and utilitarian and natural objects.

The general exhibition is a showcase of different media: silk twill, found objects like plastic dolls, marble, plain weave with embroidery, dyes, metals, and many more.

“When people come here [to the Ayala Museum to see the exhibition] and they relate to one or two [artworks], and even just with one piece, that would make me really, really happy. I did my job,” said the curator-artist. —