Cover Some of the must-see art exhibits and shows in January 2025 (Photo: Silverlens Manila)
Some of the must-see art exhibits and shows in January 2025 (Photo: Silverlens Manila)
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This January, Manila’s art scene delivers an exciting mix of public installations and retrospectives
What is it about Manila’s art scene this January that has us marking our calendars and clearing our schedules? Is it the bold, thought-provoking installations? The intimate gallery spaces that invite quiet reflection? Or maybe it’s the promise of discovering something new—an unexpected perspective, a fresh narrative, an artist who makes us see the familiar in a different light.
This month’s lineup offers a little bit of everything. Pacita Abad’s retrospective at The M reminds us of the power of colour and storytelling, while Julius Redillas’s Solo Folktales at Art Verité brings folklore into contemporary conversations. Whether you’re drawn to the grandeur of well-established names or the raw energy of emerging talents, January’s art scene is here to surprise, delight, and, above all, inspire.
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Silverlens Manila
At Silverlens this month, visit Keka Enriquez’s Points & Endings, Yvonne Quisumbing’s Sanctuary, or Renato Orara’s Entangled Pairs for an experience of emotional and introspective depth.
For more information, visit silverlensgalleries.com
The Metropolitan Museum of Manila
The M continues its celebration of Pacita Abad, one of the country’s most beloved artists, with a retrospective that delves into her vibrant, story-driven works. Simultaneously, Maedeup: Korean Knots offers a stunning insight into traditional Korean artistry.
For more information, visit metmuseum.ph
UP Fine Arts Gallery
In Parola this month, the Angat Sining Fellowship brings together young Filipino artists in a collaborative display of cutting-edge work. Photographer and retired UP College of Fine Arts associate professor Johnny Reynoso’s Water of Life 3 is also up for view. It presents a collection of nature photographs taken by the artist from 2020 to 2024.
For more information, visit cfa.upd.edu.ph/cfa-life/gallery
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Provenance Art Gallery
Ioannis Sicuya’s Wanderer in the Labyrinth explores the idea that “the scope of our enlightenment will be defined by the limits of our perception.” Meanwhile, Joel Quiñones presents Duality of Desire, a powerful exploration of the inherent flaws and complexities of human nature.
For more information, visit facebook.com/provenanceartgallery
Art Verité
Solo Folktales by Julius Redillas revisits the imagery of folklores and myths through a series of watercolour portraits. Much like oral traditions that weave the fantastical into the fabric of the everyday, Redillas’ works echo a duality—vivid, personal yet universal, familiar yet uncanny.
For more information, visit artverite.net
Galleria Duemila
Galleria Duemila showcases Nestor Vinluan’s Paintings/Installations/Objects V. His work is proof of his unwavering dedication to nature, described as strangely mesmerising and uncompromisingly committed to high abstraction.
For more information, visit galleriaduemila.com
Philippine Women’s University JCB Gallery
The Philippine Women’s University JCB Gallery presents Aze Ong’s solo exhibition, Kaloob. Embracing the abstract nature of her works and explorations, Ong gave in to the impulse and flows of her crochet—expanding into various possibilities of expressions.
For more information, visit facebook.com/sfadjcbgallery
Cultural Center of the Philippines
Toym Imao’s public art installation, Tanod Lupa, once again takes over the Cultural Centre of the Philippines, transforming the landscape with striking, large-scale pieces that highlight environmental and social issues.
For more information, visit culturalcenter.gov.ph
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Angela Nicole Regis Guiral is the assistant digital editor of Tatler Philippines. She studied journalism and has since written features that look closely at how culture, lifestyle and social impact converge, while occasionally wandering into the worlds of style and travel.
