Cover Guests gathered at the Supreme Court Terrace to hear the speeches of distinguished guests to the opening night of the ‘Fernando Zóbel: Order is Essential’ exhibition (Photo: courtesy of National Gallery Singapore)
Guests gathered at the Supreme Court Terrace to hear the speeches of distinguished guests to the opening night of the ‘Fernando Zóbel: Order is Essential’ exhibition (Photo: courtesy of National Gallery Singapore)
1 / 1
National Gallery Singapore marks its first-ever solo show dedicated to Fernando Zóbel, spotlighting his abstract works and global influence
The National Gallery Singapore (NGS) recently mounted a landmark exhibition—its first-ever solo show dedicated to the prolific and influential Spanish-born Filipino artist Fernando Zóbel, who left an indelible mark on Philippine, American and Spanish modernist art scenes.
Prior to its public opening last May 9, distinguished guests from all over the world gathered at the Supreme Court Terrace for a colourful and poignant vernissage. The event was graced by NGS’s CEO and director Eugene Tan, who delivered his welcome address; Alejandro Padilla y Zóbel, heir of the celebrated artist, together with his son Beltrán; Gonzalo Mac-Crohon y Padilla, who represented his mother Georgina Padilla y Zóbel, heir of the celebrated artist; NGS’s chief curator Patrick Flores, curator Clarissa Chikiamco, Manuel Fontán del Junco and Felipe Pereda, who worked together for around two years on the exhibition; and distinguished guests from the art scenes of Singapore and the Philippines, some of whom lent their Zóbel pieces to make the exhibition possible.
Read more: Fernando Zóbel: Get to know the artist and his dreams
Above (Clockwise from top left) Huang Shuyun, Alexis Chen, Mariles Gustilo, Felipe Pereda, Patrick Flores, Francisco Milan, Manuel Fontán del Junco, Kenneth Esguerra, Clarissa Chikiamco, Beltran Padilla y Zóbel, Gonzalo Mac-Crohon y Padilla, Eugene Tan, Peter Ho, Fernando Zóbel de Ayala, Alejandro Padilla y Zóbel, Aprille Tijam
(Clockwise from top left) Huang Shuyun, Alexis Chen, Mariles Gustilo, Felipe Pereda, Patrick Flores, Francisco Milan, Manuel Fontán del Junco, Kenneth Esguerra, Clarissa Chikiamco, Beltran Padilla y Zóbel, Gonzalo Mac-Crohon y Padilla, Eugene Tan, Peter Ho, Fernando Zóbel de Ayala, Alejandro Padilla y Zóbel, Aprille Tijam
1 / 1
Fernando Zóbel: Order is Essential follows the deepening appreciation of the immense body of work by the aforementioned artist, patron, collector and scholar, which began with Del Junco and Pereda’s exhibition at the Museo Nacional del Prado in 2022 and later expanded at the Ayala Museum in 2024. For this particular iteration, Flores and Chikiamco put the spotlight on Zóbel’s Saeta series, his creative process and inspirations that led to his discovery of his distinctive artistic identity, and how this alludes to his connections with the then growing modernist art scenes in Manila, Boston and Cuenca and numerous exhibitions worldwide like London and Venice, to name a few.
Establishing the artist’s approach to abstraction, which is rooted in his conversations with the works of the European Old Masters, classical literature and Eastern stylistics and philosophy, the exhibition reminds audiences of Zóbel’s pursuit of finding the beauty of order and his idea that art, devoid of barriers of language, race and cultures, is shared throughout space and time. Featuring over 200 pieces—including paintings, drawings, prints, photographs and archival materials, Order is Essential introduces Zóbel to new audiences with fresh insights into his multifaceted contributions and foregrounds his role in bridging cultural contexts and enriching global dialogues on modern art.
Felipe Pereda, Manuel Fontán del Junco, Amb Medardo Macaraig
1 / 7
Guests experienced firsthand the exhibition with the curators before the programme began, traversing the two gallery spaces dedicated to the show, which was divided into a prologue corner and four sections. In tracing Zóbel’s artistic journey across continents, guests were also indulged with selected works from the celebrated artist’s contemporaries in the United States, the Philippines and Spain, as well as some of his personal collections that add context to his distinctive style.
NOW READ
40 other important Filipino visual artists who are not yet National Artists
A new era begins for Ayala Museum and Filipinas Heritage Library
About
Before assuming the Art and Culture Editor position, Franz has always had a penchant for visual and performing arts. He is passionate about exploring and writing about the local cultural scene and rediscovering the country’s storied past and rich heritage. Besides working on this luxury lifestyle magazine, Franz is an avid book reader, local traveller, museum-goer, chorister, and community theatre playwright.
Work
Franz earned a degree in Journalism from the University of Santo Tomas. He writes about local visual and performing artists and their craft; drinks wines, liquors, and spirits and talks about the creativity of their respective winemakers and master blenders; tries to learn more about business and investments; respects the tradition and artistry that go behind the making of watches and jewellery; and appreciates the genius of architecture and creative design.
As head of Tatler Philippines’ pool of writers, he helps them bring impactful and socially relevant stories to light.
For any leads, you may reach him through @franzsorillaiv on Instagram or franz@tatlerphilippines.com via email.
