Calle Wright returns after a 10-month hiatus with ‘Lived/Loved’

Ramilo’s work pairs perfectly with the foundation on which Calle Wright was built—paralleling her art with an old house that once held life and plenty of memories, both ordinary and exciting. “At first glance, her works may appear playful, witty, even mischievous. But when seen all together, its deeply emotional, slightly melancholic, and cathartic impulses rise to the surface,” shares Pastrana. Every remnant, discarded scrap, frayed rags, and even old pencils are used to portray her message—to remember that to live and to love is to leave traces of ourselves behind. 

Also see: Filipina artist Micat Po and the subtle power of watercolour

Upon entering the house, we’re immediately greeted by circular plates framed in glass with an installation made of sticks in the middle. As we venture through, we’ll find a wall of old receipts and shopping lists. Just from these pieces, one would think that these are items a hoarder would keep but Ramilo saw something more in them. While these items were meant to be discarded, she transformed them into vessels that spoke of labour. Further down, viewers can find installations in the shape of wishbones, discarded clothing akin to ukay-ukay and historical photographs to name a few—mirroring Ramilo’s creative process with the house, filled with mementoes, a lived history and traces of presence. “Ling was very intentional with how she used the space… Sometimes our artists would only use a few areas of the house but she wanted to use everything, even the outdoor areas,” shares Zoe Baytan, Gallery Manager of Calle Wright.

Something visitors can look forward to are the queer poetry reading session, object and materiality workshop, and a roundtable discussion among artists such as Elaine Navas, Isola Tong and John Santos among others about their practices. “These workshops serve as micro-events within the exhibition’s run… Our goal is to engage neighbouring universities as well as creatives within the Manila area,” says Pastrana.

Lived/Loved is on display at Calle Wright, Manila until January 25, 2025. The art house is open from Thursday to Sunday. For more information, visit Calle Wright’s social media pages.

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