Maris Holopainen
Growing up in a family of avid art collectors cultivated the aesthetics of Maris Holopainen at a young age. Her family background is rooted in business, but she had always made it a point to learn as much as she could by being active in the art scene in countries where she’d lived—Indonesia, Russia, Kazakhstan, and the Philippines, of course. “A gallery manager wears many hats and serves as the conduct between the supply and demand in the art world,” says Holopainen. “We do not just consider our own aesthetics; we provide the platform for an artist to get his or her name out as well as the opportunity for collectors to procure the works they are interested in.” Holopainen joined Qube Gallery barely a year after it opened; she stumbled upon the opportunity while looking for works by contemporary Cebuano artists. Her efforts have been vital in making Qube and, by extension, the Cebuano artists more accessible to collectors and enthusiasts. In the last three years, Qube has successfully produced 51 shows, amongst which were initiatives for art students as well as visiting artists. So far, 2016 has been the gallery’s busiest year, having joined four international art shows and launching its artist grant programme. “Cebu’s art scene is now poised to evolve on an international scale,” Holopainen says. “As a gallery, Qube’s primary goal is to make art synonymous with Cebu, similar as to how other products such as the lechon [roast pig] and the dried mangoes are.”