Cover Chris Patio’s first solo show in Manila, ‘Heritage & Algorithm’ (Photo: Willy Saw)
Chris Patio’s first solo show in Manila, ‘Heritage & Algorithm’ (Photo: Willy Saw)
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Artist Chris Patio displays a dozen new oil paintings in his exhibit, ‘Heritage & Algorithm’, at Vetted, marking his re-emergence in the Philippine art world after a long hiatus
After an almost 30-year absence from the Philippine art scene, Chris Patio, a Filipino-American painter based in the San Francisco Bay Area, returns to his roots with Heritage & Algorithm. The exhibit showcases 12 oil-on-canvas paintings held at Vetted, a creative space in Milelong Makati founded by Jonathan Matti.
Born and raised in Manila, Patio received his bachelor’s degree in fine arts from the Philippine Women’s University. He then migrated to California, where he took the San Jose State University’s illustration programme and the Golden Gate Atelier’s anatomy and écorché programme under the tutelage of renowned American painter Andrew Ameral, from whom he picked up his signature style of classical realism.
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Above Jocelyn and Chris Patio (Photo: Willy Saw)
Jocelyn and Chris Patio (Photo: Willy Saw)
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I began my studies in illustration, learning the fundamentals of drawing and storytelling,” Patio shares. However, it was at an atelier where I truly connected with classical realism. There, I learnt timeless techniques passed down through generations of artists, which ignited my passion for this style. I also started collecting art books, often spending much of my paychecks on them. This combination of mastering the techniques and understanding their history has had a lasting influence on my work.”
Above Jonathan Matti, Paulino and Hetty Que, Yorkie Gomez, Pam Yan and John Santos (Photo: Willy Saw)
Above Francis and Erica Concepcion-Reyes (Photo: Willy Saw)
Jonathan Matti, Paulino and Hetty Que, Yorkie Gomez, Pam Yan and John Santos (Photo: Willy Saw)
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He then won second place at the Shell National Arts Competition—propelling his artistic career forward. “I started receiving requests for commissions. I also met some art patrons, including Jonathan Matti,” he recalls.
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Above Gary Jimenez, Alvin Limlingan, Benny Tenchico, Raul Joseph de Claro (Photo: Willy Saw)
Gary Jimenez, Alvin Limlingan, Benny Tenchico, Raul Joseph de Claro (Photo: Willy Saw)
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Marrying classical aesthetics and contemporary kitsch, Heritage & Algorithm explores the Filipino identity through the lens of a globalised world. As Patio’s first solo show in Manila, he honours our deep cultural heritage with characters from different eras and social backgrounds, such as a Cordillera village elder, a Mindanaoan warrior, travelling merchants and street vendors. With each image detailed in sepia tones and 19th-century classical realism techniques encapsulated by the omnipresent Instagram borders, Patio raises the enduring search for national identity.
Above Chris Patio in front of his work (Photo: Willy Saw)
Chris Patio in front of his work (Photo: Willy Saw)
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“To me, heritage isn’t just about what’s old but also about what you value,” Patio explains. “It’s about recognising the things that define you in the present. The Instagram frame in my work symbolises this balance to illustrate how our identities are shaped by both history and technology, and how these forces intersect,” he says.
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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.
