Isa Lorenzo on the challenges that artists face today

Tatler Asia’s Most Influential 2023 honouree Isa Lorenzo brings Filipino artistry to the grand city of New York

In 2004, Isa Lorenzo and Rachel Rillo founded Silverlens as a warehouse gallery focused on photography. Today, it’s home to Filipino artists of different mediums and stands to be one of the Philippines’ most prolific galleries with locations in Makati and New York.

As a creative herself—both a photographer and board member of the Museum Foundation of the Philippines—Lorenzo’s passion started from necessity. She wanted to create a space where visual artists could express themselves freely and give them a chance to take their talents to the world stage.

Above Isa Lorenzo and Rachel Rillo (Photo: Joseph Pascual-Kach Pelayo)

Isa Lorenzo and Rachel Rillo (Photo: Joseph Pascual-Kach Pelayo)

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What projects in the last two years are you most proud of? Why?

Shepherding Silverlens through the pandemic and establishing Silverlens New York

What challenges do you see now in your respective industry? How do you intend to help address these challenges?

Two major challenges are the lack of government support for the visual arts and the lack of critical feedback on all the art being made.

To address these challenges, we keep doing what we do—produce important exhibitions by artists and get the work seen by as many decision-makers as possible worldwide.

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Isa Lorenzo opens up on the challenges that artists face today