FILIPINO ARTWORKS AMAZE QATAR GALLERY VISITORS
TWO unique metal sculptures stood out in the KatArt Preview exhibition at Katara Cultural Village in Doha, Qatar primarily because they are made of stainless steel forks and spoons — and they are creations of a Filipino artist.
The first, prominently displayed by the door, is an intricate assemblage of forks formed into a motorbike while the second is the most eye- catching figure inside the gallery — a Transformer robot made of spoons and forks.
Although The Sunday Times Magazine was not able to personally meet the Doha-based creator during the tour of the art village late in January, the artworks clearly show the title of the pieces and the name of the artist — Danny Ponce, Philippines.
Over 100 art pieces have been prudently selected from paintings, ceramics, digital art, mixed media art, video installations and metal sculptures of artists from various countries as preview of the first- ever Katara Global Art Fair (KatArt) in October.
Organized by art brokerage company, Pallas Art, the participating artists come from Argentina, China, Qatar, Venezuela, Philippines, UK, USA, Turkey, Australia and Lebanon.
Pallas Arts chief executive officer Mariame Farqane informed The
Sunday Times Magazine that besides Ponce, another Filipino artist has been approved for the exhibit but was not able to send his pieces for the preview.
“It’s Kenneth Montegrande. We really like his works,” the Pallas Arts CEO said.
Montegrande was featured on the cover of The Sunday Times Magazine, October 6, 2019 issue.
“We are actually the first art brokerage in the [Gulf] region. The exhibition is the preview of what is going to happen in October this year — the first global art fair in Qatar. We can compare this art fair in Doha with Art Basel (Switzerland and Miami), and other major art fairs in the world,” she informed, adding that they want the people of Qatar to make it their habit to experience the international art fair every now and then.
As to the criteria which the artworks are selected, Farqane said they usually put emerging and established artists in the same scene.
“Of course, we are very selective in terms of technique, originality and inspiration but the most important element for us is the technique and the message behind an art piece. The target of the company is to put talented artists in the international market,” she stressed.
Pallas Arts highlights all forms of art including figurative, modern, contemporary, calligraphy, calligraffiti, abstract and watercolor.
Solo exhibit
Meanwhile, back in Manila, Montegrande has mounted his 10th solo exhibit — this time at the Galerie Joaquin, UP Town Center, Katipunan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City that runs until February 11.
Titled “Grandeur Landscapes,” the gallery walls are adorned with 13 of his works of trinity — not the spiritual godhead but the triune of clouds, water and earth.
“Without these three [with the clouds representing air], there would be no life,” he said, expressing excitement over the news that reached him from Qatar.
He said that he was not able to send his works to Katara because ManilArt, held in October at SM Aura Premier, Taguig City, was as forthcoming that time as the Doha exhibit preview. He will also be joining Art Fair Philippines on February 21 to 23.