Galleria Nicolas | Sweet Dreams...

In every artwork, there’s always a journey behind its proof of concept, and it is unrelated to the familiar title of the exhibit. It might be a theme that often relates to the personal experience of the artist having indulged in something he or she enjoys in their everyday life. Sometimes, there’s no context to it, and then there is the storytelling that drives each painting that stands out. Jomike Tejido’s “Sweet Dreams… Are made with these” is not taken from the classic song that British synth-pop duo Eurhythmics popularized in the 80s. But something special and interesting takes on the title of his latest exhibit at the Galleria Nicolas, which is currently running at the gallery that inspires even the kids at heart.

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.

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.

Finale Art File | Red is Not Red, Blue is Not Blue

There is something of exploration in the local art galleries in Makati City that are sometimes overlooked or unnoticed. But for every gallery, there’s a discovery of an artist you might have not heard of before or have been around that only few would have known their works either in major art events that most people can see or a private event where their work is one of the highlights for that show. Abi Dionisio has been a contemporary artist and has her works being auctioned or featured internationally. For every artist like her, she continues to develop and evolve her style of creativity that brings out some of the best exhibits that nobody has ever seen such as her latest solo show, “Red is Not Red, Blue is Not Blue.”

Secret Fresh | Reason to Live

Nobody wants to be in isolation, and the pandemic has given everyone that part of life being indoors for more than a year. It would be a challenging situation to experience being just in your room not being infected by the virus at the same time not having social interaction with everyone. Interacting virtually is a different experience that makes it hard to go through each day. Sometimes the only outlet is finding the exploration to look at ourselves and what we can do to keep moving. A few would easily give in that there’s no hope of a reason to live in an isolated place. But NARAYAN found a reason to create and make her explore her artistic side further: her solo show “Reasons to Live.”

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.

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 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.

Galerie Joaquin | Above and Beyond

The World is changing every moment in every second that some might not notice, but one thing stayed the same is how we view the world Above and Beyond, which it might sound cliché to ever say it is also the title of a two-man show between Patrick Esmao and Jomike Tejido, which features two art styles that defines this art show. It is also worth noting that Galerie Joaquin features two of their best artists that continue to churn out some of the best works in contemporary art that few would even take a look. The featured two themes also gives you a view of these two artists take on this project, and present you a fresh perspective of the world we live in as well as how both gives you a contrasting view in how they express it.

León Gallery | A Play Without an Audience

When you talk about prestigious talent and deep cut artistry León Gallery pulls all the stops in collaborating some of the best visuals in the contemporary art scene. There’s no doubt that a group show not only features the best and brightest, but also gives the spotlight not just one individual it shines on everyone who is part of this ensemble. Though some of the names may not be like an all-star caliber team you might have read their names in their previous art shows and works that have been featured in other places. It’s a great feeling of collaboration when everyone gets the opportunity to see their works in one show, and that is quite “A Play without An Audience.”

Galerie Joaquin | Blossom with Grace

There’s a saying when you’re “Blooming” something good is happening to you. In the case of Haraya Ocampo-Tejido it’s a reawakening and she continues evolution as a parent, mother, and a loving wife that she continues to Blossom. Another meaning is a fresh new start for every individual who is a student of life. Of course, few can be seen going through the changes in life, but for Haraya her very first solo show “Blossom with Grace” is certainly quite a refreshing perspective about interpretation about the meaning at the same time putting her own stamp of artistry to every works presented that was a resounding success at Galerie Joaquin.

Galerie Stephanie | Prismal Paths

There are wonderful things that some might not be interested into, but when you try to interpret these works, which gives a new meaning to any individual who would describe them in their perspective. They may be lines and colours, but for art is always subjective in nature that is redefined in a fresh perspective. Galerie Stephanie’s current two-man show featuring Pepe Delfin and Jomike Tejido has been up since April 19th, and will be having its last viewing tomorrow as of this writing, which is winding down. The images may not do justice in seeing them best in person to give this show a send-off, but if you haven’t had the time here they are…

Secret Fresh | Figure & Landscape

There have been two shows that were supposed to feature an artist’s reception with Secret Fresh. But due to the impending announcement after the coronavirus Metro Manila lockdown for health and safety reasons this prevented mass gathering and the shows where only open for a limited time, which was only until 6 PM as for the sake everyone Ronac Art Center is not open for business starting this Monday. The only business open are those essentials that will serve like supermarkets, chemist/pharmacy, convenient stores, and banks. In case you missed the limited opportunity to visit this gallery they have unveiled Ronilo Abayan’s first solo art show with Secret Fresh, which was supposed to be exhibit until 26 March 2020.

Vinyl on Vinyl | March 2020 Art Shows

Friday night was extra special for Vinyl on Vinyl whenever they’re set to launch Art Shows featuring solo shows for Martin Honasan and Teo Esguerra while Mila Bubliy and Isha Naguiat set up a two-woman gallery team-up that gives you a new perspective in their masterpieces at their main exhibit area. Beside Vinyl on Vinyl there are other galleries in the area that are also having their shows as another week winds down gearing for the weekend. Rarely, VoV opens up new art shows for the reason this is an extra special social activity for the art philes as well as family and friends of the artists that open up the night of good food and great conversations for those who have missed it this is what you missed…

Secret Fresh | Brokenness & Breakthrough

Sometimes art inspires you and put focus into what you really want to do in life. It gives you great perspective and let you express yourself through the different facets of your emotion in putting together the pieces that truly an inspiration in such way some people are not gifted of that rare skill. Coeli Manese has been churning up show after art show with her passion and unique ability to put together some of the interesting pieces in her ever growing career in the contemporary art scene. Despite no formal training she honed and skills through trial and error to put up some impressive works that is now presented in her first solo art show with Secret Fresh that was formally launched last night.

NOVA Gallery + CVTY Collective | Public Space

01.20.2020 – There are art galleries that stand out due to how they promote their talent, but there’s one that just has been unnoticed and underrated in anyone’s radar. For ten years they’ve been an art gallery that could and more introducing new talents as well as hosting some of the memorable events in the past. Nova Gallery Manila had its last group show featuring the CVTY Collective titled “Public Space” last Saturday and it would be also the tenth anniversary as it finally closes its doors after a decade of shows as one of tis pioneers to bringing street artists to the contemporary art scene. It might be a silver lining there but Nova Gallery leaves a lasting memory to the regular artisan who has visited this place.

Secret Fresh | Troubled Turf

01.07.2020 – What if you challenge Street Artists to produce a different style from their usual concepts and put them together in a very ensemble group show? You’ll find it more interesting on how the results of their work would give you a fresh look at how they made it happen and that’s where it went down during its launch. “Troubled Turf” is one collective exhibit featuring Secret Fresh’s best of the best talents in contemporary art. It is a visceral experience to go through each canvas at the Sixinch Gallery and that’s how it turned out with the local talents in the country featured in this rare group show that defined how an artist is defined for their impressive work in this show.

Vinyl on Vinyl | "The Other Side"

05.16.2019 – Ciane Xavier is one the rising contemporary artists in the Philippines having been being part of Group shows in the country since 2014 and had her Solo Shows with Secret Fresh, Paseo Gallery, and now with her latest entitled “The Other Side” with Vinyl on Vinyl she’s pushing her artistry trying new things. Last night was a surprise for some who are not familiar with her work. Ciane, a native of Brazil didn’t start painting until she started doodling on her apartment walls. Five years later, she’s one of the sought after contemporary artists in the country now taking more provocative content in her latest work.

Secret Fresh + EXLDMANILA | The Prussian Channel

12.17.2018 - Secret Fresh ends the year with a new exhibit featuring Pilipinas Street Plan’s EXLD Manila aka JJ Zamoranos, who continues to innovate and experiment new styles in making contemporary art refreshingly impressive that is insanely thought provoking. A painting that combines serious Prussian blue tones with mixed pop art inspiration. “The Prussian Channel” is a jigsaw puzzle of interspersed pop culture and cartoon forms incorporated within the silhouettes of wildlife animals. The artist was up for the challenge the he’s been wanting to take his art style to the next level that is rarely seen to some who just want to stay in the medium that made them known, but not for EXLD Manila who continue to relevant with his latest solo show.