Century City Mall Exhibit: A Century of Philippine Art

This post was most recently updated on September 22nd, 2017

Galeria De las Islas Filipinas, a gallery located at Silahis Center in Intramuros, showcased their collection of local artworks, from the paintings of the masters to the classical sculptures of Filipino renowned artists. To celebrate the genuine admiration for the fine arts as well as the contemporary, and to promote the country’s Arts and Culture, Galeria De Las Islas Filipinas took another step in exhibiting this collection outside their domain. A Century of Philippine Art displayed a great selection of distinctive Philippine artworks created by the conservatives and the modern. The subtlety of the place and the aestheticized ceiling harmonized with the classical-style sculptures, and the modern abstract paintings in the exhibit.

The exhibition featured artworks which are from the 20th century up to the present. It was indeed a marriage of the Philippine classical artworks and the Contemporary Paintings that gave us a taste of Philippine Art History. Moreover, the exhibition encouraged the art enthusiasts to appreciate contemporary artworks that are also emblems of the Philippine Society.

Philippine Artworks

Some of the artworks were created by the pioneers of the Philippine Art: Isabelo Tampinco, Guillermo Tolentino, Fernando Amorsolo and some of today’s young and modern artists. Tampinco is well-known for his works; the Molave Door of the Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City, the main altars of the Laoag Cathedral, the woodcarvings of the San Agustin Church, and the interiors of the Old Senate Session Hall of the National Museum and Malacañang Palace. Guillermo Tolentino, on the other hand, is tagged as “Father of Philippine Sculpture” who contributed in country’s art scene with his Bonifacio monument and “The Oblation” in University of the Philippines Diliman. Present in the gallery are some of his unknown works that are displayed alongside the sculptures of Tampinco. His marble cast sculptures are inspired by renaissance style because of their intricacy and accuracy (as seen in one of his works such as the replica of Pieta).

The 2D artworks in this exhibition were a mixture of classical and non-figurative paintings. Fernando Amorsolo’s figurative work was one of the event’s highlights. As the First National Artist for Painting, Amorsolo has never failed his spectators for the chiaroscuro technique of his oil paintings. In essence, all the artworks in the exhibit were Galeria de las Islas’ prized possessions.

Exhibit’s Info and Contact Details

The Exhibit ran from September 22 – October 6 at the 4th level of Century City Mall during mall hours daily and the admission was free. Artworks displayed were also available for acquisition. You may visit its original location in case you missed the exhibition.
Address:  Galeria de las Islas in Silahis Center, 744 Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Manila.
Open daily, including Sundays and holidays, 10 am – 7 pm.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GALERIADLASISLAS/?fref=ts