Cover Art House presents ‘Lakbay: Voyages into the Absolute with Nena Saguil’
Art House presents ‘Lakbay: Voyages into the Absolute with Nena Saguil’
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Nine visual artists drawn from the Philippine diaspora come together to react, reflect, and respond to the life and works of Filipina abstractionist Nena Saguil
The cosmic and what lies beyond—these were often the themes Filipina abstract artist Nena Saguil explored during her lifetime. While she spent much of her later years in Paris, her art remained deeply rooted in a sense of longing and introspection—a quiet dialogue with the homeland she had left behind.
When Art House conceived LAKBAY: Voyages into the Absolute, it envisioned a ‘visual dialogue and immersive art experience’ that celebrates the narratives of Filipino artists living abroad. The exhibition, which will run from February 8 to 10 at the mezzanine of Discovery Primea, will show never-before-seen works of Nena Saguil.
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Above Art House founder Carlo Pineda has always been an avid collector of Nena Saguil’s works (Photo: Art House)
Art House founder Carlo Pineda has always been an avid collector of Nena Saguil’s works (Photo: Art House)
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“I have always been an avid collector of Nena Saguil’s works,” says Art House founder and CEO Carlo Pineda. “For Art Month, we wanted to offer something different—something fresh. We were eager to present audiences with stories and experiences not commonly found in the local art market.”
As a creative platform dedicated to fostering cultural exchange and community engagement, Art House aims to connect with global Filipinos through Lakbay. More than just an exhibition of global visual artists, the initiative provides a shared space for audiences and creators, reflecting the experience of being home while away. It seeks to address a void for those living in the diaspora—both artists and art enthusiasts.
“Our activities, whether it be through public art, explorations in materiality and sustainable art, or reflections on digital art like NFTs, are always about creating collective journeys and conversations,” Pineda explains.
“While others might want to gatekeep the artists from collectors, we like to build spaces where both can interact, connect, and be part of one open, inclusive ecosystem or community. We’d like to think that our work as a platform helps to revitalize the patron-artist relationship,” he adds.
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Above The official poster of Art House presents ‘Lakbay: Voyages into the Absolute with Nena Saguil’
The official poster of Art House presents ‘Lakbay: Voyages into the Absolute with Nena Saguil’
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A total of nine Filipino artists, hailing from the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland and Belgium take part in the latest activation by Art House. “This is a milestone for us because all of the talents in this roster are established in their respective communities. This February, they will also fly to Manila to be part of Art House’s presentation for Art Month.”
Participating artists include: Jana Benitez, Rose Cameron, Kim Cruz, Lizza May David, John Wayne Forte, Marissa Gonzalez, Racso Jugarap, Kulay Labitigan, and Jaclyn Reyes.
The pieces will be drawn from the Nena Saguil Foundation, which serves as the beneficiary for this exhibition. Every Art House exhibit or initiative includes a giving-back element, designed to foster a deeper sense of community and cultural engagement within Filipino arts groups.
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Jove holds a degree in Journalism and is currently pursuing graduate studies in Philosophy at the University of the Philippines–Diliman. She has flair for in-depth, interview-driven stories that explore politics and culture, shaped by her background in national broadsheets.
When she’s not on assignment, Jove spends her days painting, sipping lemonade, and walking her dog, Jupiter. She can often be seen in Escolta with a film camera in hand, browsing novelty shops in search of rare memorabilia. For leads, reach her at Jove@tatlerphilippines.com.
