A full deck of Filipino creativity
When you’re dealt a deck of cards, the game is up to you. While some play cautiously, others go all in. But in “Sari-Sari Colors,” 55 Filipino visual artists take a deck of cards and turn them into something entirely different—into a canvas.
In a collaborative project by Runit Decks, the familiar format of Bicycle Playing Cards is reinterpreted into a new artistic medium that doubles as a collector’s item. Through these cards, kings, queens, jokers, and numbered suits come together to form a contemporary gallery you can hold in your hand.
“Sari-Sari Colors” launches on Saturday, Mar. 14, at The Grey Space, a contemporary gallery in San Juan City, known as a supportive platform for emerging artists that fosters collaboration across creative disciplines. The deck comes in two variations, Lemonade and Code Red, alongside limited uncut sheets, vibrant merchandise, and select artworks, including paintings and sculptures.
A gallery that plays a different game
The Grey Space was envisioned as a platform that highlights the art itself, in a flexible, minimalist environment where artists can experiment, while audiences can encounter new work without intimidation.
Founder Patricia Dy says the project opens the door to a broader audience. “What excites me… [is] not knowing what art is about but knowing Bicycle cards,” she writes on Instagram. “I think it’s going to be like a treasure hunt for the artists to sign [the cards] and also how we put up the art gallery side of it. It’s exciting because we’re trying to match the different art styles and how we’re going to set it up.”
The gallery’s main hall will host “Sari-Sari Colors” in an environment where guests can experience the full spectrum of works.
Runit Decks has been a pioneer of collectible playing cards since 2010, and presents “Sari-Sari Colors” in a unique way, not just as a product launch but also as a cultural event. Drinks will be served by Cointreau, while a lounge curated by Scout will feature plush furniture by Arkive Curated Living to luxuriate in, with warm lamps illuminating the space by Cozi Studios.
55 artists, one deck
If a standard deck contains 52 cards, “Sari-Sari Colors” raises the stakes with 55 artists, each playing their own hand in the project.
From Jill Arteche’s Queen of Hearts, to Blic’s Eight of Diamonds and Raco Ruiz’s King of Spades, every artist interprets their chosen card through their own visual language. The styles are generally in the vein of pop art, occasionally veering towards street art. Many also have surrealist compositions, while all seem to gush with creativity and a sense of playfulness that matches the medium of cards as well.
Participating Filipino artists also include Alldefs, Anika Marie Loquite, Arvy Trinidad, Barc, Bitto, Cabnov, Chase, Crazy Vanny, Curse/Gift, Dan Fajardo, Doktor Karayom, Drin, Eman Alconera, Gabo Corpuz, Garapata, Gemart Ortega, Isad Diwa, IVNarts, Jannleen, Jappy Agoncillo, Jade Suayan, Jay Francisco, Jethro Olba, JJ Zamoranos, John Loyd Benz De Leon, JP Pining, Kapitan, Kempis Ang, Kim Borja, Kino, Kookoo, Lean Reboja, Lei Melendres, Mall, Marilou Solano, Mark Weigh, Mr. S, Mustache Boii, Nicolo Nimor, Omok, Peter Apuyan, Pollyanna, Raisehell, Raki, Rups Kiddo, Russel Rust, Selah Viee, Seeweirdo, Tyang Karyel, Wetworks, and Wham.
Whether you’re a collector, a creative, or simply curious, “Sari-Sari Colors” is open to the public for free, inviting everybody to experience Filipino art in a way that’s playful, immersive, and fresh, in a new medium that acts like a treasure hunt across 55 decks and dozens of imaginations.
“Sari-Sari Colors” will run from Mar. 14 to Mar. 28 at The Grey Space, 331 P. Guevarra St., San Juan City
