SINGAPORE — From street artists to collector showcases, more Filipino artists were represented at Singapore Art Week, held in various city locales from Jan. 17-28. Other Filipino artists shown included Jigger Cruz, Don Salubayba, John Santos and Rodel Tapaya (award-winning Cordilleran mural “Cane of Kabunian, Numbered But Cannot Be Numbered”). Art Stage president Lorenzo Rudolf’s opening remarks struck a challenging note: “Everywhere in Southeast Asia, the art scene booms… Only in Singapore is it stagnating.” True, there were relatively few Singaporean artists on the walls; yet Singapore has opened at least 12 galleries this past year and Art Week is a visual sign of its commitment to nurturing local talent — or at least becoming a hub for buying and selling art. Highlights included pop art by MM Yu (“Land Paintings”), abstractions by Louie Cordero and commentary on Philippine billboard messages by Broke. According to the front desk, almost all of the works had been pre-sold prior to opening, a strong signal that Filipino art is becoming more accepted across Southeast Asia.

Source: Philippine Star January 30, 2018 12:11 UTC