13 must-see shows to check out this June
This June, Metro Manila’s contemporary art and design exhibitions function as a vital new kind of cartography, offering objects and pictorial worlds where artists are actively wrestling with profound uncertainties—from rapid ecological deterioration and tongue-in-cheek critiques of the art market to pastiches of pulp fiction and urban absurdity—and attempting to rewrite the poetry of what it means to remain human against all odds.
“The Coconut Tree Methodology” by Martha Atienza
Runs until July 11 at Silverlens Manila, Chino Roces Ave., Makati City
“The Coconut Tree Methodology is both reflection and proposition: to sense the world and grasp the changes that are shaping it right now. For Martha Atienza, that world is anchored to the Bantayan Islands in Cebu, where the Dutch-Filipino artist was in part raised, bearing witness to coastlines being transformed by rising sea levels: a fact that Atienza has diligently documented as a central facet of her award-winning transdisciplinary practice.” — Stephanie Bailey, writer
“Threads of Dreams: Celebrating 70 Years of Philippine-Japan Relations through Fashion” featuring Jaggy Glarino, Rhett Eala, and Joey Samson
Runs until July 26 at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, 30th St., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Three Filipino designers were selected to create and design clothing inspired by both Filipino and Japanese culture and traditions. The exhibition is a testament to not only the limitless creativity of Filipino designers but also the ever-deepening cultural exchange between the Philippines and Japan that has been going on for 70 years.” — Tina Colayco, president of the Metropolitan Museum of Manila
“Open Ended” by Fruitjuice Factori Studio
Runs until June 18 at Artinformal, C1, Karrivin Plaza, 2316 Chino Roces Ave, Ext, Makati City
“Open Ended is a group show of the Fruitjuice Factori Studio, a family collective showcasing highly personal practices highlighting individuality through a range of media, concepts, and processes woven together by a symbolic ‘eye level’ horizon line (standard 150cm) and a cohesive narrative that talks about home, memory, materiality, and kinship.” — Isabel Aquilizan, visual artist
“2 Man Show: Manuel Ocampo versus Jonas Sanchez” featuring ManuelOcampo
At Pablo BGC, C-11, South of Market, Taguig
“One artist, two names, and a pointed inquiry into the fictions of authorship and the machinery of artistic value.” — Osie Tiangco, art gallery director of Pablo
“Interpsychic Colony” by Louie Cordero and Kawayan de Guia
Runs until June 28 at MO_Space, MOs Design Bldg, B2 9th Avenue, Bonifacio High Street, Taguig
“Kawayan de Guia and Louie Cordero reunite for their third collaborative exhibition, ‘Interpsychic Colony,’ a series of 40 works blending comics, pulp fiction, folklore, and political satire into a vivid, dystopian visual language.” — Frank Cimatu, writer
“Cracks of Becoming” featuring Gabby Garcia
Runs until June 28 at Pintô Art Museum, Sierra Madre St, Antipolo, Rizal
“At its core, the work suggests that our wounds, changes, and unfinished edges can become the very places where new understanding, resilience, and identity emerge. The connection between my art practice and my practice as a fashion designer is integral… ‘Cracks of Becoming’ explores how fragments, ruptures, and contrasts can be pieced together into something whole, evolving, and deeply personal.” — Gabby Garcia, fashion designer and visual artist
“The Most Humble of Places” featuring Ram de Verdera
Runs until June 30 at Verygood Artist-Run Space, Isidro Paus St., Buhay na Tubig, Imus, Cavite
“‘The Most Humble of Places’ is a testament to how meaningful art can emerge from ordinary moments. It is also a reminder to aspiring artists that there is room for genuine voices in today’s art scene—especially those willing to stay committed to their practice and tell their stories honestly.” — Mariel Cruz, co-founder of Verygood Artist-run Space
“DISC.CUSSION” featuring Alynnah Macla-Tadeo, Benjie Torrado Cabrera, Diana Aviado, Plet Bolipata, Don Kusuanco, Elmer Borlongan, Jojo Barja, Luigi Azura, Angelo Magno, Mars Bugaoan, Noell El Farol, Pandy Aviado, Poeleen Alvarez, Soler Santos, Taj Hassan Asinas Tadeo, Anton Villaruel, and William Matawaran
Runs until July 18 at West Gallery, West Ave., Quezon City
“The process of incising physical marks on CD creates a dialogue between the ephemeral data and the tactile permanence created by drypoint [and the resulting burrs] blur the microscopic series of circular lines that transform the CD into a digital relic.” — Noell El Farol, visual artist
“Confluence of Her” featuring Anna Bautista, Bea Batungbacal, CABNOV, Jill Arteche, Tita Halaman, Yanna Guillermo
Runs until July 4 at Modeka Warehouse 20A, La Fuerza, Chino Roces Ave., Makati City
“We’re excited to once again collaborate with DF Art Agency in presenting this exhibition, which brings together a remarkable group of emerging women artists whose work reflects a strong sense of individuality, clarity of vision, and commitment to their craft. It’s inspiring to see how each artist has developed a recognizable voice and distinctive body of work at this stage in their careers.” — Bubbles Bermudez, founder of Modeka
“Bridging the Gap 2” featuring various artists
Runs until August, R/2 South Wing, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Drive, Makati City
“The project is driven by a belief that meaningful connections between artists, collectors, and the public are essential to sustaining a vibrant and inclusive cultural ecosystem.” — Emilio Preysler Dizon, gallerist behind Provenance
“Brief Eternities” by Bing Taojo
Opens this June at Galerie Joaquin, Rockwell, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Drive, Makati City
“For Bing Galang Taojo, whose practice has long shown an instinct for color and atmosphere, the flower offers more than subject matter. It carries a complete narrative of living within a single form. Each canvas enters that narrative at a different point, at emergence, at fullness, or when decline has begun.” — AA Patawaran, writer
“Palumpalo” by Joey Cobcobo
Runs until June 27 at Art Cube Gallery, Unit 104 G/F Building 3, OPVI Centre, Chino Roces Ave., Makati City
“Questions of persistence and belief run throughout the exhibition. Although Cobcobo is widely known for his printmaking, the works presented here move decisively into painting… His paintings ask viewers to participate in the act of seeing, allowing imagination to complete what remains unresolved.” — Kaye O’Yek, writer
“Seryosong Usapan sa Madilim na Area” featuring Froilan Calayag, Joey Cobcobo, Dex Fernandez, Mark Andy Garcia, Ryan Jara, Lindslee, Raffy Napay, Lynyrd Paras, Neil Pasilan, Ryan Rubio
Runs from June 18 to July 18 at West Gallery, West Ave., Quezon City
“Our show, ‘Seryosong Usapan sa Madilim na Area,’ ay parang pagsasama-sama ng mga magkakaibigan. My work, ‘Party Is Over,’ is like a strike of reality. Lahat ay pansamantala lang. Enjoy it while it lasts.” — Lindslee
