Ancheta’s ‘Fusion’ promotes local artists, wonders of art collecting
ART collector Allan Ancheta releases his first book, titled Fusion, taking readers through the wonders of appreciating and collecting pieces, especially at a time when art can bring solace amid the pandemic. Launched on Manila FAME’S new digital platform FAME+, Fusion showcases artworks by Filipino talents featured in The Cabinet at Canterbury, an art gallery Allan Ancheta built with his wife Jas inside their home in Manila.
“Fusion is an exploration of the arts, self and one’s environment. In learning more about the lives of the local artists and the contexts of their art, we go beyond what we see and gain a deeper appreciation of their work. This is a crucial step for those who wish to start their own collection. One’s environment also plays an important role, as these artworks bring spaces into life and can transform a place into a cabinet of curiosities,” says Ancheta.
Ancheta spotlights artists from various disciplines and backgrounds, promoting the diversity of the local art scene. He features the emotionally-driven abstract works of Benhur Cabana, who was trained by accomplished painter and printmaker Romulo Olazo. Alongside Cabana is Khristina Manansala’s art inspired by childhood memories and religious themes, reminiscent of the works of her grandfather Vincent Manansala, a legendary cubist painter. Conveying human truth and the arts’ role in the country, the works of Nixxio Castrillo, son of the late Eduardo Castrillo, is also included in the collection among the many other brilliant artists in the gallery. A significant milestone in his mission to advocate for Filipino artists, Ancheta launched his book through FAME+ Market Days, a community and platform where exhibitors, buyers, stakeholders, as well as the design industry’s finest manufacturers and artisans, gathered to champion local talent.
Guiding readers through the how-tos of collecting, Ancheta also emphasizes that aside from their significance, the pieces must complement the color and form of the gallery’s interiors. His love for the arts and his wife Jas’s expertise in interior design has turned The Cabinet at Canterbury into more than just a wonder-room, but also a memorable melding of art and design.
“In The Cabinet at Canterbury, our philosophy of fusing art and interiors is clearly displayed by these two rules. Most of the artwork displayed in the gallery reflects the possibility of expressing personal tastes and preferences, but it also serves as a possible complement to a room design option,” Ancheta says in his book. Moving into their dream home in 2008 was an exciting milestone for the Anchetas, but finding a suitable designer was a challenge. Learning interior design on her own, Jas successfully transformed their humble abode from what was once a blank canvas into a fusion of art and life. This experience led her to professionally pursue interior design and after graduating with honors at Philippine School of Interior Design, she set up her own firm, Jas Ancheta Interiors, as a licensed designer.
An essential book for art enthusiasts and collectors alike, Fusion tells a story of the transformative role of art in one’s life. The passion and family endeavor behind Jas Ancheta Interiors that made The Cabinet at Canterbury possible, is a testament that the fusion of art, stories and spaces can make one’s personal journey more meaningful.
Fusion by Allan Ancheta is available at www. jasanchetainteriors.com and Jas Ancheta Interiors on Facebook and Instagram.