Cover Exhibition view of ’Pacita Abad, Love is Like a Heat Wave’ at Silverlens, Manila, running from February 13 to March 16 (Photo: Courtesy of Silverlens)
Exhibition view of ’Pacita Abad, Love is Like a Heat Wave’ at Silverlens, Manila, running from February 13 to March 16 (Photo: Courtesy of Silverlens)
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Bridging the celebrations of National Arts Month and the upcoming International Women’s Month, Silverlens’ gallery in Manila pays tribute to the late renowned artist Pacita Abad
Renowned for her large-scale quilted trapunto paintings characterised by vibrant colours and accumulated materials, Pacita Abad was one of the country’s foremost visual artists who not only showcased to the world the intricate heritage of the Philippines through contemporary artworks but also that of other Southeast Asian cultures.
In celebration of the 20th anniversary of Circles in My Mind, Abad’s landmark exhibition at the Cultural Center of the Philippines before her passing in 2004, Silverlens presents the iconic artist’s works in a new solo exhibition, titled Love is Like a Heat Wave.
Above Exhibition view of ’Pacita Abad, Love is Like a Heat Wave’ at Silverlens, Manila, running from February 13 to March 16 (Photo: Courtesy of Silverlens)
Exhibition view of ’Pacita Abad, Love is Like a Heat Wave’ at Silverlens, Manila, running from February 13 to March 16 (Photo: Courtesy of Silverlens)
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In this tribute exhibition, Abad’s series of works on paper produced during her residency at the Singapore Tyler Print Institute in 2003 was in the spotlight. The artist explored her longstanding interest in colour and material culture in that particular residency, pushing the boundaries of papermaking, printmaking, and painting during her time.
Art lovers and longtime fans of Abad’s work would be able to see also her rarely exhibited flora oil-on-paper monoprints created during her residence in Jakarta in the late 1990s. Layers of delicately applied oil plant transferred onto paper, these compositions possess a tranquil tenderness that juxtaposes the ravenous abundance of most of Abad’s oeuvre.
Above Pacita Abad’s ‘Tropical Heliconia’ (Photo: Silverlens Galleries)
Pacita Abad’s ‘Tropical Heliconia’ (Photo: Silverlens Galleries)
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Marked by vivid colours and intricate materials, Abad’s expansive paintings span a broad spectrum of themes, drawn in form and concept from several ethnic traditions of craft and thought. From portraying tribal masks and social scenes to intricate underwater landscapes and abstract forms, Abad's work transcended borders.
In 2023, Abad was the subject of a major retrospective exhibition at The Walker Art Center, which later travelled to SFMOMA. The exhibition will then travel to MoMA PS1 and Art Gallery Ontario in 2024–2025. Her work has been featured in solo exhibitions at the National Museum, Jakarta, Indonesia; Hong Kong Arts Centre, Hong Kong, The Museum of Philippine Art, Manila; Cultural Center of the Philippines, Manila; Bhirasri Museum of Modern Art, Bangkok, Thailand; Singapore Tyler Print Institute, Singapore; The National Museum for Women in the Arts, Washington, D.C.; and the National Center of Afro-American Artists, Boston, among others.
Pacita Abad, ‘Circles Bring You Happiness, acrylic, painted printed paper, painted cloth collaged on board2004
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Abad participated in numerous group exhibitions during her active period in the international art scene, including: Beyond the Border: Art by Recent Immigrant, Bronx Museum of the Arts, New York; Asia/America: Identities in Contemporary Asian American Art, a travelling exhibition organised by the Asia Society, New York; Olympiad of Art, National Museum of Modern Art, Seoul, Korea; 2nd Asian Art Show, Fukuoka Art Museum, Fukuoka, Japan; and La Bienal de Habana, Havana, Cuba.
The gallery accepts walk-ins from Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 6pm. No entrance fee is charged.
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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.
