IN FOCUS : ARTIS CORPUS GALLERY

BRIEF ON THE GALLERY

Artis Corpus Gallery opened its doors late 2008, coinciding with its first exhibition featuring Vicaldo sculpture. Its founding president, Enrico Manlapaz, has been in the visual arts since he was in high school. In the 1990s, he collected for organizations and acted as consultant for visual arts at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. After forty years in the arts, he established Artis Corpus Gallery with the help of close associates. Primary goal of the gallery is the promotion of the creation of art pieces. Its role is the provision of space wherein artist can converse directly, through the artwork, with audience. It is the dream of the gallery for every piece of art created to eventually end up with is rightful audience. He envisions that the ultimate identity of Artis Corpus Gallery and its thrusts will eventually evolve in time.

ARTISTIC FOCUS

Artis Corpus Gallery believes in the absolute freedom of artists in creating works. Art is a creative process which must be independent of presumptions, even rationalizations. In selecting art to be promoted in its art spaces, its concerns revolve around the following criteria proving artistic integrity:
maturity of style
clarity of intention
devotion to craft

The gallery welcomes art in many forms. It features a variety of artists.

Artis Corpus Gallery has represented artists in solo exhibitions from November 2008 till March 2009:
Jun and Elrine Vicaldo (Sandiwa: Tao’t Kalikasan)
Trek Valdizno (Urgent Paintings from San Rafael, Bulacan)
Orville D. R. Tiamson (P+RE+VIEW)
Ryan Rubio (Existence)

Artis Corpus Gallery has presented artists in group exhibitions from March till May 2009:

BATA NG SINING
Mark Anthony Bello
Gerrico Blanco
Demetrio De la Cruz
Camille De la Rosa
Randalf Dilla
Kris Jan Gavino
Jaime Gubaton
Rodel Jacintos
PJ Jalandoni
Neil Manalo
Edwin Martinez
Norlie Meimban
Othoniel Neri
Noel Pama

RECURRING FANCIES
Plet Bolipata Borlongan
Elmer Borlongan
Emmanuel Garibay
Neil Manalo
Thomas Daquioag
Francesca Enriquez
Fernando Modesto
Joseph Serrano
Sandra Palomar
Trek Valdizno

Artis Corpus Gallery will present these artists in solo exhibitions in the second half of the year:
Emmanuel Garibay
Grandier Bella
Norman Dreo

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT ARTIS CORPUS GALLERY

Complete Name : ARTIS CORPUS GALLERY CORPORATION
Address : 303 Haig Street, Bagong Silang, Mandaluyong City
Landline/Fax : 02.7174619
Email Address : artiscorpusgallery@yahoo.com

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT MAIN CONTACT PERSON

Complete Name : Enrico J. L. Manlapaz
Position : President
Landline/Fax : 02.7174619
Mobile Phone : 0920.9537426
Email Address : enricojlmanlapaz@yahoo.com.ph

IN FOCUS : JCRISANTO MARTINEZ

About the artist:

JCRISANTO MARTINEZ (Joseph Crisanto R. Martinez) actively participated in the Baguio City arts scene from 2002 until late 2006. In 2007, he moved back to Manila for a continuing self-education and networking with regards to the arts, arts promotion and management, and art curation. Martinez’s abstractions are executed in acrylics on burlap.

A visual artist, independent writer, web designer and graphic artist, he is presently preparing for several group exhibits in Metro Manila, Cebu City and Baguio City galleries and museums for 2009 and 2010. He is also an active planner and initiator of the mounting of several art exhibits and other art-related events. Martinez created and established the Cordillera Artists Central, an independent online promotions body which continues to foster for the promotions of the Filipino artists and the Philippine Arts and Culture by way of a website and an extensive mailing list. The Cordillera Artists Central has already established a global coverage having been linked to more than 150 internet-based groups, sites, and art galleries. This commitment for the arts was further reinforced with the creation of the Artepinas blogsite.

Martinez took up Bachelor of Science Major in Zoology at the University of the East with units taken in the Bachelor of Arts Major in English department before being submerged in the computer business. As a visual artist, Martinez has mounted two solo exhibitions and has participated in numerous group exhibits.

Solo Exhibits
"Improvisations", Tam-awan Village Gallery, Baguio City, April 1 – 21, 2006
"Art By Another Name", Breathing Space Gallery, Baguio City, June 21 – July 20, 2006

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8PRpStOY-I

IN FOCUS : SIO MONTERA

About the artist:

SIO MONTERA (Dennis E. Montera), a Cebuano visual artist earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of the Philippines (UP) Visayas-Cebu in 1996 and proceeded to earning a Master’s degree in Fine Arts from the UP Diliman College of Fine Arts in October 2004. After completing his graduate studies (MFA, Studio Arts 2004) at the College of Fine Arts in the University of the Philippines (U.P. Diliman Campus), he is now currently an assistant professor in the Fine Arts Program of U.P. Cebu College Campus where he first served as member of the faculty as a part-time lecturer in 1996. Sio is also the Program Coordinator of the said academic program and handles art history, art theory, techniques, materials, research methods, and thesis courses.

Despite working in the academe, Sio balances his time as an active menber in the national and local art community where he regularly mounts an annual solo show and group exhibitions featuring his major works. He is also currently a member of the National Committee on Visual Arts of the Philippine National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

For the past decade Sio's work has been profoundly non-objective and explores the use of composite media combined ingeniously with industrial construction techniques and processes. The artist mounts regular solo exhibitions at the art walk in SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City in Metro Manila and at the SM Art Center in his hometown of Cebu. He is also one of the founding members of the art group "Tuslob-Buwa", was a former chairperson of PUSOD, Inc. (The Open Organization of Cebu Visual Artists), and an active member of the Visyas Islands Visual Artists Association (VIVAA). Sio is also the Project Director of the SM Summer Art School, an annual summer art-workshop for kids (every April to May) at the Trade Hall of SM City Cebu. Montera was recently awarded a fifth place finalist award in the recent concluded 2009 AAP-ECCA Abstract Painting Competition.

Awards:
5th Place, AAP-EECA Abstract Painting Competition, February 2009
Ramon Durano Professorial Chair Award, U.P in the Visayas, Ilioilo City, Philippines, December 2006
Semi-Finalist, Philippine Art Awards 2001, Metropolitan Museum, Pasay City, Philippines
Grand Prize, Jose T. Joya Awards, Non-Objective Painting Category, U.P. in the Visayas Cebu College 1993
Grand Prize, Jose T. Joya Awards, Non-objective Painting Category, U.P. in the Visayas Cebu College 1992
Second Prize, Jose T. Joya Awards, Representational Painting Category, U.P. in the Visayas Cebu College 1991

Solo Exhibits:
"Free-Form", Art Center, SM City Cebu, Cebu City, August 15-28, 2007
"AbstracSIOn", Bluewater Gallery, Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort, Mactan Island, Cebu, October 20 - November 17, 2006
“Evolution”, Art Center, SM City Cebu, Cebu City, January 27- February 9, 2006
“Fusion Trends”, featured artist of BLIMS furniture exhibit, Activity Center Lobby, Ayala Center Cebu, July 14-August 2, 2005
“Consciousness”, SM Art Center, Cebu City, February 4-16, 2005
“Recent Works”, Renaissance Gallery, 4th Level SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City, July 28-August 12, 2004
“Penitensya”, Curated by Nestor Vinluan, Little Theater Lobby, Cultural Center of the Philippines, Pasay City, March 28 -April 22, 2004
“One-Man-Sio”, First Solo Exhibit, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Convention Center, July 2-30, 2000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8PRpStOY-I

IN FOCUS : JAVY VILLACIN

JAVY VILLICIN (Jose Villacin Jr.) graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree major in painting at the University of the Philippines Diliman in 1980 and was a British Council, Byam Shaw School of Art, London fellowship grantee in 1988. Villacin was a finalist in the 2008 Phillip Morris Philippine Art Awards. Currently, Villacin holds a professorial chair at the fine arts program of the University of the Philippines in Cebu City.

For a time Villacin was in hibernation in his craving to achieve the “shambala” (an advanced plane of awareness and spirituality.) Never losing his state of consciousness, Villacin came out triumphant and rejuvenated from his astral wanderings. His canvasses continue to exhibit impressions and expressions from his foray into the dream world; composite, organic, anthropomorphic or vegetal forms.

But the basic elements of a Villacin artwork are the drawings. There are these usual pencil backgrounds which are far from being the fine or final cleaned up drawings that rejoice the diffidence, the bravado even, in some cases, the pandemonium of drawing. Together with drawing, Villacin also utilizes the array of techniques possible with his favorite medium; acrylic. Of these, layering is the most perceptible. This provides the spatial and, even, tonal texture to the works.

Awards:
Philippine Art Awards, Top 10 Winner for the Visayas Region, 2007

Major Exhibits:
“Dreamscapes” One Man Show, SM Art Center, SM Cebu City, July 28 – August 12, 2007
“Damgo, Langit ug Yuta”, CAP Art Center, Cebu City, A two-man show with Prof. J. Karl P. Roque, Jr., 2004
“Balik-Balik”, CAP Art Center, Cebu City, 1997
“Future Primitive”, CAP Art Center, Cebu City, 1992
“Ethnic Impressions” Arthaus, Cebu City, 1987
“Retrospection, Vision, Realization”, Asiatic Gallery, Davao City, 1982

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8PRpStOY-I

IN FOCUS : JOEY VENDIOLA COBCOBO

Joey Cobcobo is a multi-awarded artist working on painting, printmaking and woodcarving. He combines these disciplines in assemblages and installations. Cobcobo’s ethnicity (he is an Igorot who has lived and studied in Mandaluyong City since his early youth) has its influence in the endemic and actuated tensions apparent in his work. His art combines contemporary and transmedia approaches to traditional art practices, revealing an introspective interest in the critique and construct of a moral/ethical re-imaging of what is endemic and prevalent in social and cultural practices.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:

TERTIARY
2005-2006
Technological University of the Philippines
Completed 18 units in Professional Subjects
Bachelor of Science in Industrial Education

2004-2000
Technological University of the Philippines
Bachelor of Fine Arts-Advertising
March 2004-2000
Honors: Cum laude

AWARDS RECEIVED:

2008
Juror’s Choice Award - Figuras Painting Competition 2008

2004
Honorable Mention - First P.D.S.I. Drawing Competition organized by Big & Small Art Co.
3rd Place - FEU 2nd Annual Inter-University On-the-spot Painting Competition

2003
Grand Prize - National Piñana Art Competition “The Filipino Soul”
Runner-Up - 3rd Art Petron National Painting Competition. (Watercolor category)
1st Honorable Mention - 1st Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) & AAP Painting Competition.
2nd Place - UST Inter-University On the Spot Painting Competition
2nd Place - National Kidney and Transplant Painting Competition
2nd Place - PHASE1 (University Level) PLDT-DPC Telephone Directory Cover 17th Visual Art National Competition.

2002
Grand Prize - 2nd Art Petron National Students Painting Competition.
3rd Place – 14th Veterans Memorial Medical Center Inter-Collegiate Art Competition

SOLO EXHIBITION:

“Evangelio”
2nd Solo Exhibit
Big& Small Art Co.
SM Megamall, Mandaluyong
May 1-10, 2008

“Black Saturday”
1st Solo Exhibiti
Big & Small Art Co.
SM Megamall, Mandaluyong
November 24 –December 4, 2007

IN FOCUS : RAL ARROGANTE

RAL ARROGANTE, self-taught artist and a businessman, is presently the head of the Society of Philippine Sculptors (SPS). He is known for his scrap metal wind-driven sculpture depicting ecological subjects. Ral is also a former officer of the Art Association of the Philippines (AAP) and he commits himself in sharing his talent and know-how with young artists and children in depressed communities.

He used to be the assistant to the commercial attach of the Swiss Embassy in Manila, The commerce graduate, however, gradually transferred his energies to art. Since his first foray into the scene in 1986 until 1990, he called himself a "weekend artist," his management and marketing savvy, in corporate or diplomatic terms, taking more of his time. Ral Arrogante is presently one of the front-liners in contemporary Philippine sculpture and is likewise an active member of the ecological artists group EarthArt.

Ral Arrogante is a sculptor who believes in the value of recycled brass as an ecological and yet long-lasting artistic statement on the need to conserve our resources, and maximize the possibilities of material through the unlimited potential of the mind to convert and transform the ordinary into the timeless.




In the exhibit APHRODITE ICARUS, the embodiment of the potent Icarus, as represented in Ral Arrogante’s winged-mixed media, mainly copper and brass remarkably fitted together without the use of welding. They shimmer like valued treasures at the same time conveying free flight in space. It symbolizes man's ultimate quest for freedom, and to reach the hitherto impossible dream of man-powered flight. Arrogante's sculptures make us realize the fragility of humanity, and how our aspiration for freedom must be tempered by prudence, foresight, and practice.

IN FOCUS : HERMES ALEGRE

HERMES ALEGRE studied art in the Philippine Women's University. Born in 1968 at Daet, Camarines Norte, his first picture book, Bahay Kubo, was published in 1993. His work has appeared in over thirty galleries. He has graced some of the most prestigious art spaces in the world and has the distinction of promoting the tropical beauty of Pinays to a larger audience.

He is mainly recognized for his rendering of luscious full-lipped, brown-skinned women, mostly of the Mariang Makiling mould, embraced by a rich tropical locale brimming with a radiant abundance of flora. Alegre’s women on canvas are always mysteriously erotic looking. They look intently right back at you, summoning you to drown in their eyes, their mesmerizing gaze transporting you to their randomly beautiful wild alternative reality.




In Aphrodite, Hermes Alegre fuses his status as a figurative painter of femme and flora while showcasing more than just women in exotic settings, the iconography for which the artist has become famous and drawn legions of collectors. The women figures aren’t just matters of elemental desire and embrace; they became the face of resolute humanity; doctrinaire —and as refined as ever.

IN FOCUS : GALLERY ANNA

IN FOCUS : SEB CHUA

IN FOCUS : SEB CHUA


SEB CHUA is a Xavier School alumnus who further pursued studies at Columbia College in Vancouver, Canada and Fine Arts at the University of Santo Tomas. He interprets his figures in a very modern, abstracted style with an emphasis on form and negative space. First and foremost, he is involved in his family business, heading production research and design for their exports. When making a living does not get in the way, he indulges himself in his love for art.

He always begins his creative process with drawings and treats creativity as a journey in discovery, during which he explores deep feelings and emotions as they manifest in forms before his eyes. He believes it is a special moment when a new form comes to life. He seeks to reach out and touch the viewer with his works, reflecting both the visible and hidden realities within the viewer. All this he accomplishes by exploring the endless possibilities, combining imagery with forms.

Of his work he says: "My art is less about exact thinking, and more about opening one's self to multiplicity in meanings and perspective. I feel that a piece of art is successful when it inspires many different and imaginative reactions."

Seb, through his artistic involvements seeks to bring forth the best in Filipino art and sculpture.