Cover Installation shot of "A Synergy of Ventures: The Postwar Art Scene," featuring Fernando Zóbel's work on-view until 12 July 2025 at the Ateneo Art Gallery. (Photo: Clefvan Pornela)
Installation shot of "A Synergy of Ventures: The Postwar Art Scene," featuring Fernando Zóbel's work on-view until 12 July 2025 at the Ateneo Art Gallery. (Photo: Clefvan Pornela)
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Featuring the works of Zóbel and National Artists BenCab, Amorsolo, Joya and among others, the Ateneo Art Gallery shows us the blossoming of modernist art in the Philippines
To commemorate Fernando Zóbel’s birth centennial, the Ateneo Art Gallery (AAG), along with the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines, presents A Synergy of Ventures: The Postwar Art Scene—an exhibition of selected works from Zóbel’s core collection he gifted to the Ateneo de Manila University from 1959 to 1966 alongside other pieces from the current AAG collection, curated by Boots Herrera, director and chief curator of the Ateneo Art Gallery.
“We want to show the contrast. How modernism was reinvigorated after the war through the efforts of the Art Association of the Philippines (AAP) and the Philippine Art Gallery (PAG),” says Herrera.
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Above The entrance of 'A Synergy of Ventures: The Postwar Art Scene' (Photo: Clefvan Pornela)
The entrance of 'A Synergy of Ventures: The Postwar Art Scene' (Photo: Clefvan Pornela)
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The exhibition’s name comes from a 2019 essay by Eileen Legaspi-Ramirez touching on the role of women in the development of art in Southeast Asia—focusing on the work of Purita Kalaw-Ledesma and Lydia Arguilla.
Upon entering, guests will be greeted by a wall of plywood inspired by Roberto Chabet’s work with a singular portrait of Zóbel beside the glaring title. Herrera mentions that the use of plywood at the entry point was intentional—meant to relate to the post-war period when Chabet channelled his memories of seeing his neighbours rebuild their homes using plywood after the bombs fell.
Above A portrait of Fernando Zóbel as a teenager. Fernando Amorsolo, 1945, Oil on wood. (Photo: Ateneo Art Gallery)
Above Historical documents from Ateneo de Manila University's Graduate School (Photo: Gabriel Bohol)
A portrait of Fernando Zóbel as a teenager. Fernando Amorsolo, 1945, Oil on wood. (Photo: Ateneo Art Gallery)
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Immediately after turning left, viewers will see a portrait of Zóbel by Jose Luis Balaguero with the class list from Ateneo de Manila’s Graduate School. There you’ll find some familiar names like Jaime Zóbel de Ayala enrolled in a course for Introduction to the Art of China & Japan and Eric Torres in a subject for The Appreciation of Art.
Installation shot of "A Synergy of Ventures: The Postwar Art Scene," on-view until 12 July 2025 at the Ateneo Art Gallery. (Photo: Clefvan Pornela)
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Venturing deeper, we’ll find several loaned works from the family of Purita Kalaw-Ledesma, the Kalaw-Ledesma Foundation, Inc (KLFI), and the Cultural Center of the Philippines. From paintings by Anita Magsaysay-Ho and Jose Tence Ruiz to historical books from Ateneo’s Rizal Library, the exhibit presents a diverse collection of modernism from many of the Thirteen Moderns.
A Synergy of Ventures: The Postwar Art Scene will be on display from September 16, 2024, to July 12, 2025, at the Ateneo Art Gallery, Quezon City.
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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.
