MoCAF 2025 | VoV: Silver

This year’s MoCAF (Modern Contemporary Art Fair) is about shining a spotlight on some of the best visual artists in the industry. If last year’s diverse talent featured under one booth, Vinyl on Vinyl focuses on one such talent who has been long enough during the time of the art galleries’ evolution as one of the known exhibitors to bring their artist that might have flown under someone else’s radar. That artist is none other than Iyan de Jesus, she has come a long way to carve her own niche and style that you might have not noticed. Her works has been featured in the international art scene as her works have been a subtle favourite among art collectors who have acquired her past works is here shining like Silver.

Vinyl on Vinyl | DIKO ALAM

“Diko Alam” is a pun and loosely translated in English as “Don’t Know” as one of the exhibits to close out 2024 for Vinyl on Vinyl Gallery featuring Diko aka Gabriel Tiongson, a visual artist born and bred in the Philippines who now resides in New Zealand carving his artistry at Kiwi Land is something always to look forward to the shows he gets the spotlight with his works. This is Diko’s second show following a two-artist exhibit with Mimaaaaaaaaw at the Grey Space Gallery in September of the same year. For this exhibit, Diko let his visitors express themselves through art using chalk on the floor, which you don’t see in most exhibits as the artist wants to show his visitors their hidden artistry.

Galerie Joaquin | Arcoiris

Whenever a new exhibit has opened it must bring good vibes and a sense of interest that invites not just only those who appreciate art, but also random people from all walks of life. For Jomike Tejido, it must be second-hand to his ever-growing work to express his thoughts and to communicate through art. It’s not just those who have known him for so long, but also those who discovered his work in the art gallery. Another solo art exhibit for Jomike in the books, but this one doesn’t just stop at one part of the gallery featuring his work. But the entire gallery has dedicated every space of it featuring all his paintings and his wooden art toys that have become part of the show for almost a year now and it continues to be impressive even internationally.

Vinyl on Vinyl | Sheepskin

Change is good and character growth is defined by how someone evolves into a better person by being true to themselves. There is also consistency in how their personality defines their work. The passion that still burns in their eyes shows their adoration for their craft wanting to keep their feet on the ground while soaring to greater heights by shedding their skin or “Sheepskin.” Iyan De Jesus sums up as one of those local visual artists who have been working on her craft for more than a decade. She continues to define the odds and challenges of life in finding love for her work as it feels like the first time, which shows how her artwork has evolved over the years like she is telling her story beneath her works.

MoCAF 2024 | Very Good Gallery

There are art galleries out there from the underground-type to the ones located in warehouses. But there’s one that taps into the grassroots and at the same time makes sure that art is accessible to everyone not only those who can afford it. But to those who can find inspiration to create something beyond just art that can be considered a universal common ground for everyone and between social classes. The Very Good Gallery is an artist-run space by two local artist scenes that are making their presence at the same time while discovering new talent that will be showcased by their newly opened art space that opened its doors early this year. This is also their first time to participate at MoCAF.

MoCAF 2024 | Vinyl on Vinyl

Vinyl On Vinyl showed up at this year’s MoCAF (Modern Contemporary Art Fair) showcasing some of the best visual artists in the country together with their in-house artists who continue to flourish in the local contemporary art community. MoCAF is relatively a new event that caters to local artistry since 2022 and continue to grow every year with its lineup for galleries participating. This year, VoV takes a subtle route in a small section in one of the event booths that featured some of the best and brightest artists in the local scene. But the entirety of the MoCAF event is certainly an overload of visual perspectives, and VoV is one of the standouts when featuring some of the artists that had their exhibit with the local gallery that has been around since 2010.

Galleria Nicolas | Hirameki: Cloudscapes

Cloudscapes can be viewed from Earth and often include just enough landscape to suggest scale orientation weather conditions, and distance (through the application of the technique of aerial perspective). Cloudscape and skyscape are sometimes used interchangeably, although a skyscape does not necessarily require a view of clouds.** It is an art by itself of a view of clouds or the sky. Rarely, if you would define one if you live in a densely populated city. But while living in another country in a small city in Adelaide, there are directions you can see the clouds or if you are outside of the CBD you will see cloud formations and most of it during the “golden hour” such as defined by a part of the title of Jomike Tejido’s latest Solo Exhibition.

Galerie Stephanie | Flourish

There are so many contemporary artists today that you might have overlooked some of the up-and-coming talents. You may find inspiration in their works when you randomly come across them while you are in a local shopping centre or just casually notice many people gathering to see what was the commotion over something colourful and inviting. This is where Kim Borja “Flourish” in her latest solo art show for Galerie Stephanie, which just had a reception early this evening taking you to a special place that is warm and bright with full of glow emanating from the optimistic look at her works as one of the latest exhibits for the gallery despite the weather the poured in the city.

Galleria Nicolas | Open Arms

“Open Arms” is a second solo art exhibit show featuring Hraya Ocampo-Tejido, and this is her third exhibit with the last one with her spouse Jomike. This show, “Open Arms” is a celebration of optimism, freedom of expression, and a welcome to the artists’ friends and family gracing her show that’s a celebration not only of her ever-growing success. But also a sort of reunion with those she hasn’t seen in a while. This is her first exhibit with Galleria Nicolas, and she brings her signature flowers to the gallery. The afternoon is simply buzzing with laughter and smiles that show that the artist and her art continue to spread optimism with all the bright colours that most of those walk-ins would invite the curiosity that she is as an individual every day.

Galerie Stephanie | Yutori

“Yutori” is a Japanese word or term “a state of sufficiency and ease” that is also the title of Mr. S’ first-ever solo exhibition at the newly relocated Galerie Stephanie, which opened less than a week ago. The profound artwork of Mr. S continues to evolve with the artist's inspiration stemming from his travels in Japan and Korea. This solo show culminates not only the opening of the gallery’s new location but also introduces new works from Mr. S who has not had his very own exhibition since 2016. It was a welcome sight to see all the work put together in bringing a fresh take on his ever-evolving work from his everyday life and personal travels inspired by these masterful artworks that you see in this show.

Vinyl on Vinyl | Taken as a Lover, Burning as a Witch

You’ve seen it once you have seen it and most of the time going to local galleries you get used to the crowd. Then you learn more about the featured artist. For Iyan De Jesus, it’s been a long road for her work to be noticed. The same way Vinyl on Vinyl was just starting in a small art space that is nothing more than a high-rise condo presently at the old location where De Jesus started. VoV has been bouncing around to a location and then settled to their permanent home, where you will find other art galleries. In the same way, Iyan has slowly continued to refine and master her art style. Most of her background has been defined by gears, but she continues to experiment with keeping that signature aesthetics.

Galerie Joaquin | Dragon Boats

“Dragon Boats” is the latest solo art show featuring Jomike Tejido, and this will be something really special for being the 20th time he goes out and brought the best of his craft from the paintings to each accompanying “art toy” that is one of one that is also having very intricate details with layers of storytelling in each creation. It is one of Jomike’s massive creations culminating in decades of studying art through his own past works at the same time parallels being a children’s book author. His process and evolution are something to be admired and an absolute inspiration is beyond just being a contemporary artist. If you thought his past works were already grand, this one certainly strives to push the limits beyond what most already knew.

Galleria Nicolas | Valorous Peaks

In every Art Show, there’s a specific theme or narrative that defines the artist’s current perspective and how he or she shares their thoughtful vision. For Patrick Esmao, it started with putting his work on notice Above and Beyond that follows up with A Homeward Journey to move forward in making great art. Patrick’s past works he collaborated with some of his contemporaries, but this time he takes on a Solo Art Show that takes you to the Valorous Peaks of his creativity in putting together an ensemble piece at the same time adding something never-before-seen from his previous works. It is a journey worth looking at Galleria Nicolas.

Arte Bettina | While You Were Sleeping

Sometimes the best Art Shows in the group is its showcase how chemistry can bring an organic harmony when it comes to having a diverse group of talented individuals together, and that works in unison when their works complement each other like everything in the gears of the clock makes things move as one unit. In this case, the three artists’ group show at Arte Bettina entitled “While You Were Sleeping” was the sum of that, which puts one of the impressive exhibits in this gallery that’s colourful and animated at the same time an impressive collection of works that defined not just the title of the show, but give you a story behind it.

Art in the Park 2023 | Sights & Highlights

Art in the Park has finally opened to the public, and it was the most crowded event for a whole day affair. If last year was only opened to a very few individuals who are well aware of the event, this year was a full-on event from sun up to sun down at the Jaime C. Velasquez Park in Salcedo Village. The plethora of art galleries participating this year was not enough to put them together inside the public park. There were familiar faces and first-time participants that have been active in their own events each month. But the really big takeaway is the success of the event’s return after two-year hiatus. Last year was just the ‘appetizers’ of the sort to getting art aficionados, but this year it was publicly open.

Vinyl on Vinyl | Unruh(e) by Arvin Nogueras ⁣

Visual art performance featuring installations is not new and has been quite a rare thing that you see in local art galleries. It ranges from how exotic, and has something to do with the human condition or sometimes doesn’t give you the physical tactile feels. But it also enriches your visual and audio senses that you do not get to experience in everyday life. It is really something to be immersed in and take a subjective look at something not painted or drawn that is hung from the walls of the gallery. For one night only, Vinyl on Vinyl brings you a Sound Installation and live mixing with Arvin Nogueras aka @CPR008 that will have his works on an exhibit titled “Unruh(e)” that captures that sound installation vibe that was performed in front of a live audience.

León Gallery | Snapshoot!

There is a very diverse and talented artist in the Philippines ranging from creating installations to works of art that are featured in galleries all over the world. The amount of talent can’t be filled in one room or gallery. It is rare to read about someone starting out and finding out that there’s a course of study that would lead them to the path they’ve been so passionate about doing it. Of course, it is also quite unique to build yourself up in finding that signature tone and idea and making it your own based on the individuals that came before you and become part of your life’s work. Lilianna Manahan is one of those individuals who have recently had her first solo show with León Gallery International.

Galerie Stephanie | Olympus

“Olympus” is a word or a place used in the Greek Mythology. In some contexts it’s a mountain in Greece or home of the gods. It can define to someone ‘who has pinnacle of success,” which is the title of the solo show for Jomike Tejido starting the new year right with refreshing concepts that he continues to build and challenge himself. For this year, Jomike mixes up with his refreshing art style and adding installations to round up a narrative that convey that’s something far from the Greek Mythology or mount Olympus. But it speaks volumes to how he put together this show that is like pushing himself to make it on top of mountain of challenges in taking you to his journey as an ever evolving contemporary artist.

Vinyl on Vinyl | There is a World going on Outside the World that I’m in

Art is subjective and expressive, and it continues to push the boundaries on how people will react to it. The medium continues to inspire and take hold of our thoughts the way we deal with everyday life. Now, it depends on who’s looking and reacting to the painting, installation, or sculpture. But with the technologies of 21st century one must experiment and take risks in expressing themselves to the fullest. Art is one medium that continues to be relevant through the inspiration that brings the artist to produce wondrous things, and this is where Ciane Xavier continues to flow like the river or a wind that breathe new life to the open fields, which is her major solo show with Vinyl on Vinyl this month!

Galerie Joaquin | A Homeward Journey

There are nothing like collaborations between a few people to produce something unimaginable, expressive, and subjective. Put that into an art form it becomes something entirely new, refreshing, and inspiring. This is what four talented individuals has ever produced at Galerie Joaquin for their show this week. Perfecto Palero, William Alvarez, Francis Evangelista, and Patrick Esmao is featured at Galerie Joaquin this week with their individual works being showcased as a group show titled “A Homeward Journey,” and yes it is four stories intersecting to produce some of the most impressive works of art banded together to give you some mighty visual spectacles to ever assembled in this show.