Art galleries are the nerve centers of the local art scene. They are a collective wellspring of ideas from visitors, and artists (through their works).

The number of art galleries in the Metro has steadily increased, indicating a growing demand for visual art. While veterans and established players continue to dominate, indie (independent) galleries and artist-run spaces have also become a recent trend, further saturating the market with new artists.

Criteria

Galleries may be judged according to five general criteria:

  1. Exhibitions

    Photo under the CC by 2.0

    A gallery is only as good as its exhibition, which is as good as the curatorial team behind it. Shows are conceptualized well in advance (usually one to two years before the actual date), and great care is taken in the choice of artists to be included in the roster.

    Curators are vital in ensuring that the gallery stays relevant in the minds of its audience. A gallery has achieved its purpose when an exhibition is still talked about many years after the actual event.

  2. Represented Artists

    A good artist usually puts on a good exhibition; a great artist hardly ever fails to do so. The loose artist-gallery representation allows for two galleries to represent the same artist.

    Artists usually gravitate towards galleries that they have an affinity for, in terms of style, medium or even location. An ideal, mutually-beneficial scenario involves a budding gallery developing its roster of young talents into recognized artists.

  3. Vision

    A gallery owner must have a vision of what the gallery represents, and what it will be remembered for. This is an obvious requirement, with the number of galleries sprouting everywhere. This is also a difficult requirement, considering artists’ tendency to explore similar themes.

    This is doubly important considering the (usual) lack of exclusivity for artists, giving artists the open option to look to other galleries if they want.

  4. Collectors

    A gallery has essentially two clients: its artists, and its buyers. While a gallery may occasionally show non-selling work, as an establishment it also needs sales to continue its existence. Just like investing, collecting is an art form that requires careful planning and thought.

    Enlightened collectors with an eye for good work are known to think ahead. One collector (and a gallery owner) endeavored to collect significant works from the year 1980 to 2000. This not only gives him a priceless collection: it also becomes significant (and more valuable) to the art community.

  5. Exposure

    Filipino artists are now getting the recognition they deserve. Galleries that can get artists international exposure have an edge over others that can’t. A gallery needs press releases in order to announce its shows, and it needs to form a good working relationship with the lifestyle section of the major dailies to do so.

    The recent Manila art fair put Filipino artists on the world’s peripheral vision. Auction houses are also actively featuring historically significant Filipino pieces. Singapore is has begun holding exhibitions by Philippine artists in its galleries.

 

THE LIST

Following is this author’s list of the 13 most significant galleries in the Metro today, based on the five criteria discussed above:

  1. Blanc Art Gallery

    A relatively young gallery, Gallery Blanc has managed in a few years to become one of the significant galleries that represent younger artists. Its recent exhibition of women artists (Boxed) highlights its initiative in creating exhibitions that matter.

    Photos and logo courtesy of Blanc Art Gallery

    Now with two locations (Makati and EDSA-Shaw), Blanc continues to craft its own space in the gallery community.

    Current exhibitions: Dead City by Renato Barja (Makati – until Jan. 22, 2010) and Happily Unhappy (Shaw – until Jan. 20, 2010). Blanc is located at Crown Tower, 107 H.V. dela Costa St., Salcedo Village, Makati City.

    Tel: 752-0032 / 0920-9276436
    Email: info@blanc.ph
    Website:www.blanc.ph, www.blancartspace.multiply.com

    2.  

  2. Boston Gallery

    Boston gallery, owned by Dr. Joven Cuanang and managed by Andy Estella, is one of the few galleries with a symbiotic relationship with the art group that it first featured (Salingpusa.) Among its highly successful shows was the Tutok exhibition that saw the crowd spilled over onto the street where it gets its name.

    Logo courtesy of Boston Gallery

    It has helped many artists establish names for themselves, chief among them Elmer Borlongan, Manny Garibay, and other Salingpusa. It continues its tradition of disovering and developing young talent into tomorrow’s great artists.

    Boston Gallery is located at #72 Lantana Street, Cubao, Quezon City.
    Tel: 7229205

    3.  

  3. Crucible

    The Crucible Gallery formally opened in October 9, 1993 as a commercial venture of The Crucible Workshop, which publishes books on Philippine art, limited edition prints and museum retails product. It has published monographs on Cesar Legaspi and Arturo Luz, as well as A Sense of Sense of Serenity, a book that combined the paintings of Anita Magsaysay-Ho with the poetry of twelve contemporary Filipino poets. It has also published Art Philippines, recipient of the prestigious National Book Award, which is considered as the definitive reference and source book on Philippine art.

    Logo courtesy of Crucible Gallery

    The Crucible Gallery is at the SM Megamall 4th Level, Building A, Mandaluyong City, Philippines, 1100.

    Tel: 635 6061,
    Email: info@thecruciblegallery.com.

    or look for:

    Chari Elinzano – 0917 868 3455, charrie14@yahoo.com.
    Inas Amoyo – 0917 866 7198, inasamoyo@yahoo.com.

    4.  

  4. Drawing Room

    Founded by Cesar Villalon Jr., the Drawing Room opened in February 1998. It is a regular participant and exhibitor in Art Fairs and events.

    Photos and logo courtesy of The Drawing Room

    The Drawing Room is at 1007 Metropolitan Avenue, Metrostar Building, Makati City Philippines 1205
    Tel: 8977877, 8976990

    5.  

  5. Galleria Duemila

    Galleria Duemila, established in 1975 by Italian-born Silvana Ancellotti-Diaz, is the longest running commercial gallery in the Philippines today, maintaining a strong international profile. With the vision to expose Filipino artists locally and within the ASEAN region, Galleria Duemila specializes in contemporary paintings, sculptures, works on paper and installations, as well as rare secondary-market stock by modern Filipino masters.

    Logo courtesy of Galleria Duemila

    It handles rare works by modern masters of the early 20th century, including Fernando Amorsolo, Fernando Zobel, H.R. Ocampo, Vicente Manansala, Jose Joya and Cesar Legaspi and showcases local and foreign artists from the current generation. This mix of established and emerging artists presents a dynamic program of monthly art exhibitions complimented by performances, readings and musical events in its custom-built gallery in Pasay City, Manila.

    Corporate Offices/Main Gallery: 210 Loring Street, 1300 Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines.

    Tel: 831-9990 or 833-9815.
    Fax: 833-9815.
    Email: duemila@mydestiny.net
    Website: www.galleriaduemila.com

    6.  

  6. Finale Art File

    Established in the early ‘80s, Finale Art File is considered a premier gallery institution in the Philippines, having showcased hundreds of exhibits by some of the most talented names in contemporary visual arts. It has successfully balanced the demands of a commercial establishment and an artistic venue, occasionally featuring experimental works that push artistic boundaries and challenge audience expectation. For over two decades, Finale conducted its shows in the twin galleries at SM Megamall and Lao Center in Makati City.

    In November 2008, Finale moved to its new home located at Warehouse 17, La Fuerza Compound (Gate 1), 2241 Pasong Tamo, Makati City (across Philippine School for Interior Design), a bold step affirming Finale’s position as one of the most exciting art centers in the Asia-Pacific region.

    Tel: 813 2310, 812 5034
    Fax: 810 4071
    Mon. to Sat. 10AM to 7PM

    7.  

  7. Hiraya

    Hiraya Gallery, established in 1980, is committed to the promotion as well as development of serious, imaginative, and relevant Philippine art, especially by young but talented Filipino artists. In the pursuit of its objective, it has taken necessary risks—welcoming unknown new artists and offering a refuge for unpopular ones. Hiraya eschews too much commercialism in art, and frowns on capitalizing, for easy success, on the attraction of "established" names. It gravitates towards artists, regardless of their artistic background, medium or style, whose technical competence and creativity are matched only by their dedication, high-mindedness, and intellectual honesty.

    Photo and logo courtesy of Hiraya Gallery

    Hiraya supports artists not because they are commercially viable, but because it believes strongly in what they are trying to achieve. It does not impose its business will or its own aesthetic tastes on artists, but encourages them to freely evolve and pursue their individual inspiration and vision.

    Hiraya Gallery is located at 530 United Nations Avenue
    Ermita, Manila, Philippines.

    Telefax: 523.3331
    Email: hiraya@info.com.ph
    For inquiries, look for Ms. Didi Dee, Gallery Director.
    The gallery is open Mondays thru Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

    8.  

  8. Mag:Net Gallery

    Mag:net aims to be at the forefront of Philippine contemporary art, be it the visual arts, literature or music. As a stable for the more dynamic artists exhibiting today, it offers unto the local scenesters and consequently the world at large, their freshest works through its galleries which are also lined with choice literary works of some of the best writers of the century, the spill of music from our local tunesmiths and sound artists provide the aural stimulation.

    Logo courtesy of Mag:Net

    Mag:net extends this further by being a venue for film screenings, performances, readings, impromptus and of things yet to come. Hence, Mag:net enjoins everyone to this total experience of art into their everyday lives and be beholden to the ferment and flux of the future.

    • Katipunan Branch:
      335 Katipunan Avenue Loyola Heights, Quezon City
      929-3193
    • Ayala Avenue Branch:
      The Columns
      Ayala Avenue cor. Gil, Puyat Avenue, Makati
      909-5328

    9.  

  9. Manila Contemporary

    Manila Contemporary is owned by Malaysian arts entrepreneur Valentine Willie. Opening last year, one of its most memorable shows was “Recent Works” by Julian Schnabel.

    Photo and logo courtesy of Manila Contemporary

    The gallery is located at Whitespace 2314, Chino Roces Avenue, Pasong Tamo Extension, Makati City.
    Tel: 8447328
    Email: info@manilacontemporary.com.

    10.  

  10. 1/of Gallery

    1/of Gallery is an art space for young contemporary Filipino artists. It holds regular exhibitions featuring their latest original works, and also specializes in limited edition prints as a means of making art more accessible to the general public. The gallery is owned and operated by The Center for Art, New Ventures and Sustainable Development (CANVAS), a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion of Philippine art, culture and the environment.

    Photo and logo courtesy of 1/of Gallery

    1/of Gallery is located at the 2nd level of The Shops at Serendra, Global City, Taguig in Metro Manila.
    Tel: 901-3152
    Email: info@canvas.ph

    11.  

  11. Pinto Art Gallery

    Pinto Art Gallery is an artspace located in Antipolo, Rizal. Also owned by Dr. Joven Cuanang, the gallery is part of the Silangan Foundation for Arts, Culture and Ecology. Designed by Antonio Leaño, the gallery is best known for its Antipolo Maytime Arts Festival and Alay exhibitions (which is shown in cooperation with Boston Gallery.)

    Logo courtesy of Pinto Gallery

    Pinto Gallery is located at #1 Sierra Madre St., Grandheights Subd., Antipolo City.
    Tel: 3 6971015.

    12.  

  12. Silverlens/SLab

    Mirroring the elements, design and professional structure of the Silverlens Gallery, SLab (Silverlens Lab) is the new gallery, established 2008, for Philippine contemporary art under the Silverlens Group. Silverlens and SLab artists push the boundaries of their medium and are aggressive in their dialogue with a critical audience. The gallery artists are represented by Silverlens internationally for their exposure, recall, recognition, and collection.

    Photo and logo courtesy of Silverlens/Slab

    Silverlens/ Slab is located at 2/F YMC Bldg 2, 2320 Pasong Tamo Ext., Makati City.
    Tel: 8161044.

  13. West Gallery

    Since it opened in 1989, West Gallery has ssought to provide a new art venue for up-and-coming artists to explore their talents further. In the 1990s, West Gallery expanded with a new branch in SM Megamall in Mandaluyong to bring fine art closer to the public. In a way, its presence has continued to draw more viewers and encourage art collection.

    Photo and logo courtesy of West Gallery

    The two galleries combine to mount nearly 50 exhibits each year-featuring the best in painting, sculpture, prints, and drawings the contemporary Filipino artist can offer. West Gallery has closed down the branch in SM Megamall. Today, it has returned to its original venue along West Avenue in Quezon City, expanding the original space into three different exhibition rooms, where three exhibits can be mounted simultaneously.

    West Gallery’s concentration is on the provision of venues for young and mid-career talented visual artists to show their works to the public.

    West Gallery is located at 48 West Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines 1100.
    Telephone: 411 0336
    Fax: 411 9221,
    Email:info@westgallery.org

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