Downtown at Donna Karan’s Urban Zen, Josie Natori with David and Susan Rockefeller held a significant exhibition of contemporary Philippine art. Called Pintô Manhattan Manila, the work of 30 contemporary artists was sold to benefit The Asian Cultural Council and the Pintô Museum of Art.
The exhibition was curated by by Federico De Vera. Pintô’s founder, the esteemed neurologist Dr. Joven Cuanang attended along with Donna Karan. The project was coordinated by Rockefeller Institute graduate fellow Dr. Luca Parolari, and art historian Patrick Flores.
Following the end of the Marcos regime, art around Manila blossomed. Dr. Cuanang was one of the nation’s first new patrons — collecting, encouraging, and eventually giving over his apartment for exhibitions. He founded the first important local gallery (offering small stipends to promising artists). His collection was donated to the Museum he created, Pintô, and the gallery continues to this day. More importantly he helped created a market in the Asia Pacific region for Philippine artists. Pintô Art Museum is the foremost contemporary art institution in the Philippines, a driving force in their contemporary art scene in the country for the past 30 years.
Artists exhibited include “three generations” of contemporary Philippine artists, including:
1st generation: Manuel Ocampo*, Elmer Borlongan, Gil Batle, Emmanuel Garibay, Mark Justiniani, Antonio Leano, Joy Mallari.
2nd generation: Ronald Ventura, José John Santos III, Kawayan De Guia, Alfredo Esquillo, Nona Garcia*, Gregory Halili, Riel Hilario*, Geraldine Javier, Erwin Leano, Ian Quirante, Pam Yan-Santos.
3rd generation: Jigger Cruz, Rodel Tapaya Marina Cruz, Raffy Napay, Leeroy New*, Dexter Fernandez*, Winner Jumalon, Joven Mansit, Martha Atienza, RG Habulan, Ryan Villamael, Jaypee Samson, Reynaldo Samson, Dexter Sy.
*denotes ACC grantees
Photos by Annie Watt
New York Rag 