A new chapter unfolds in the vibrant story of Southeast Asian art with the arrival of Gajah Gallery in Manila. After establishing a strong presence in Singapore, Jakarta, and Yogyakarta, the gallery has opened its fourth space, nestled along Pioneer Street in Mandaluyong City. This isn’t merely an expansion; it’s a deepening of artistic connections across a region brimming with creativity.
The gallery’s roots in the Philippines run deep, nurtured by a nine-year presence at Art Fair Philippines. A pivotal moment arrived in 2023 with a dedicated showcase of Filipino artists, igniting a natural progression towards a permanent space. Gajah Gallery Manager Joaquin Singson describes the opening as “inevitable,” a testament to the growing resonance between the gallery’s vision and the Philippine art scene.
The inaugural exhibition, “Confabulations: A Fantasy of the Real,” is a compelling testament to this vision. Curated by Joyce Toh, the show brings together a remarkable collection of artists from across Southeast Asia, sparking a dialogue between diverse perspectives and artistic traditions. It’s a deliberate invitation to explore the boundaries of reality and representation.
Among the Filipino artists featured are National Artist Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera, whose evocative works capture the essence of human emotion, and Kawayan de Guia, known for his intricate and thought-provoking pieces. Alongside them stand contemporary voices like Charlie Co, Marina Cruz, Kiri Dalena, Mark Justiniani, and Leslie de Chavez, each contributing a unique lens to the exhibition’s central theme.
The exhibition extends beyond national borders, showcasing talents from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Bali. Indonesian artist Yunizar’s captivating paintings of birds and sculptures of turtles infuse the gallery with a tangible energy, while his “Fruit Tree” sculpture—a whimsical fusion of tropical fruits—evokes a profound connection to the natural world.
A striking interplay emerges between the works of different nations. Ms. Toh observes a shared energy between Filipino and Indonesian art, a resonance that speaks to common cultural threads. This synergy is powerfully illustrated by Rosit Mulyadi’s tribute to Filipino master Felix Hidalgo, a work that beautifully encapsulates the gallery’s celebration of artistic fusion.
The exhibition isn’t limited to traditional mediums. Kayleigh Goh’s Malaysian landscapes, crafted from industrial materials like cement and marble dust, offer a fascinating textural experience. Up close, the subtle details reveal a depth that belies their graphic appearance, reminding us of the rewards of attentive observation.
Mark Justiniani’s interactive mixed-media device invites viewers to become active participants, manipulating a spinning apparatus to reveal moving images in mirrors. It’s a playful exploration of illusion, a hallmark of the artist’s practice. Kiri Dalena’s triptychs, reworking colonial photographs with layers of ink, offer a poignant reclamation of narratives silenced by history.
Suzann Victor’s “People’s Lantern,” a breathtaking installation composed of thousands of overlapping lenses, serves as the exhibition’s centerpiece. Stepping inside transforms the viewer’s perspective, offering a refracted and immersive experience of the surrounding artwork. It’s a powerful metaphor for the multifaceted nature of reality itself.
“Confabulations” deliberately eschews a linear narrative, encouraging visitors to wander and discover connections at their own pace. The exhibition’s central question – “What manner of realism can truly picture ‘the real’?” – isn’t answered with a definitive statement, but rather with an invitation to explore the diverse ways artists grapple with this fundamental inquiry.
“Confabulations” is on view until December 31st at Gajah Gallery Manila, located at Unit 1B-1E, NBS Park, 125 Pioneer St., Mandaluyong City. It’s an opportunity to immerse yourself in a world where artistic boundaries blur and the search for truth becomes a captivating journey.
