October 7, 2015, 4:26p.m. – THE WORKS of 173 artists, including those of Thomasian visual artists, will be displayed in ManilArt 2015, the country’s longest-running art fair, on Oct. 8-11 at the convention hall of SM Aura Premier in Taguig.
The art fair, now on its seventh edition, will focus on Filipino culture in the global limelight with the theme “Raising the Filipino Colors on the World Stage.” Works of prominent Thomasian artists such as glass sculptor Ramon Orlina, father of Philippine conceptual art Roberto Chabet and painter Raul Isidro will be on display and sale. Thirteen other Thomasian artists will participate.
Highlights of ManilArt 2015 include the unveiling of Romulo Galicano’s painting of Pope Francis to be given to the Pontiff by the Archdiocese of Cebu, a walking tour by Metropolitan Museum of Manila Director Gerry Torres, and the butterfly canopy by the Philippine Educational Theater Association Production Designer Bonifacio Juan to be installed in the lounge and reception areas.
“Fairgoers should also look forward to Torre de Manila’s ‘deconstruction’ through a photo-wall, two-dimensional art installation of Luneta Park’s setting,” said Delan Robillos, fair organizer and public relations chief, in an e-mail to the Varsitarian. “The comeback of Manila’s participation in the Venice Biennale International Art Exhibitions, after 51 years, will also be emphasized.”
International galleries from Malaysia and Singapore will join the fair. France’s Secour Populaire Francais-Mirasol will give art therapy sessions to victims of typhoon Yolanda and other natural calamities. Art workshops will be held during the exhibit.
Painter Jonathan Olazo, son of the late abstractionist Romulo Olazo, is this year’s art fair curator. A. A. A. Bulan
