Cover ‘Winnowing Rice’, 1949, Oil on canvas, 55 x 70 on display at the ‘Amorsolo: Chroma’ exhibition (Photo: courtesy of Ayala Museum)
‘Winnowing Rice’, 1949, Oil on canvas, 55 x 70 on display at the ‘Amorsolo: Chroma’ exhibition (Photo: courtesy of Ayala Museum)
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An interactive exhibition featuring the works of Fernando Amorsolo brings together various ways to appreciate visual arts
In an effort to reintroduce the Philippines’ first National Artist to a newer generation, the Ayala Museum takes a more contemporary approach to experiencing Fernando Amorsolo’s paintings. Aside from seeing Amorsolo’s distinctive pastoral scenes and en plein air landscapes, visitors can also interact with paint-by-colour walls, colour vision deficiency (CVD) digital stations, and a light room for a hands-on experience to explore how colour works in both art and technology—making this the first time the Ayala Museum launches an exhibition with interactivity in mind.
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Above Inside ‘Amorsolo: Chroma’ at the Ayala Museum (Photo: courtesy of the Ayala Foundation)
Inside ‘Amorsolo: Chroma’ at the Ayala Museum (Photo: courtesy of the Ayala Foundation)
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Above The Light Room in ‘Amorsolo: Chroma’ (Photo: courtesy of the Ayala Foundation)
The Light Room in ‘Amorsolo: Chroma’ (Photo: courtesy of the Ayala Foundation)
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As one of the Philippines’ most celebrated painters, Amorsolo has influenced and defined a whole generation of Filipino artists. To better understand his style’s evolution, the Ayala Museum launched Amorsolo: Chroma—juxtaposing his previous work with his contemporaries to see what the art scene was like during his time as well as the cultural expectations he brought about.
“Chroma helps us remember how Amorsolo profoundly influenced debates on how we saw ourselves as a Filipino nation. But it also asks: ‘Can new generations still connect with the aesthetic and whatever questions his images evoke?’ Through this exhibition, we hope more people will be inspired to reflect on what it means to be Filipino in today’s context,” says Ayala Foundation president Tony Lambino.
Above Fernando Amorsolo’s works on display at ‘Amorsolo: Chroma’ (Photo: courtesy of the Ayala Foundation)
Fernando Amorsolo’s works on display at ‘Amorsolo: Chroma’ (Photo: courtesy of the Ayala Foundation)
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At the heart of Amorsolo: Chroma is colour as a subject and metaphor. Visitors can view the works from the great artist’s eyes and experiment with their perceptions—filling in the paintings with different hues in the light room.
Above One of the Light Stations in ‘Amorsolo: Chroma’ (Photo: courtesy of the Ayala Foundation)
Above An interactive Light Station in ‘Amorsolo: Chroma’ (Photo: courtesy of the Ayala Foundation)
One of the Light Stations in ‘Amorsolo: Chroma’ (Photo: courtesy of the Ayala Foundation)
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Apart from interactivity, the exhibition was also designed with accessibility as a priority. A first for Philippine museums, EnChroma colour blind glasses will be available for those with CVD—allowing anyone to enjoy and immerse themselves in the exhibit. “This exhibition reflects our ongoing commitment to making Ayala Museum more accessible, especially for persons with disabilities. We want as many people as possible to enjoy Amorsolo’s work, hence the push for interactive and inclusive displays,” says Ayala Museum associate director Aprille Tijam.
Amorsolo: Chroma runs until September 7, 2025, Tuesdays to Sundays at the Ayala Museum. For more information, visit their social media page.
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About
Gabriel found his passion for writing through poetry in high school. He sharpened his skills at Ateneo de Manila University and hopes to write a play worthy of Broadway one day. A self-proclaimed geek, he loves to spend his free time playing video games and board games. When he's not clicking heads on Valorant or roleplaying as a barbarian in Dungeons and Dragons, you can find him exploring art galleries or watching stage plays.
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A creative writer who writes about anything and everything, Gabriel loves to dive deep into the arts and culture scene—as well as going on long road trips for travel pieces.
You can reach him on Instagram at @gbohol for any leads, casual conversations or game invites.
