Let’s face, it misogyny still exists. Even with social advancement, there are still prevailing gender biases and stereotypes that we experience every single day. Humanity might have made a huge stride where women can take on major roles and responsibilities, but there is still that long-standing social gap among different genders.
Compared to their male counterparts, works of female visual artists are sold for a fraction. Female film directors get snubbed at award-giving bodies. Out of 10 theater shows, only one or two are directed by women theater directors. Classical concerts in the country are dominated by mostly male conductors.
This gender proclivity doesn’t mean that men artists are better than women artists. It means that this gender bias hinders women from maximizing their potential, showcasing their artistic talents, and contributing to nation-building.
But even with fewer opportunities, women do more.
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There are some exhibits in the metro worth visiting that celebrate women – women as artists and women as the muses.
Artist Ginny Guanco explores the mysteries of women through a sophisticated interplay of vibrant hues, bold, evocative strokes, and an intuitive painting technique in her stunning portraits in Her World exhibit, on view at the Gateway Gallery Studio in Araneta Center Cubao, QC.
“Women empowerment has always been a recurring theme in my exhibits. When you express power, people often confuse this with being dominant and domineering. However, women can convey this power, while also retaining their femininity and inner strength. She knows what she wants and she knows what she’s capable of doing,” said Guanco.
For her third solo exhibition, Guanco masterfully unveils feminine power, its captivating mystery, and the beautiful nuances of womanhood.
Her World signifies the artist’s liberation from creative constraints, manifesting in 26 paintings that chronicle her evolution as an artist. “Here, I’m no longer held back and afraid to go out of the box,” said Guanco.
For commissioned portraits and bespoke hand-painted pouches and bags, you may send inquiries to her art pages on FB – Art by Ginny or @artbyginnyg on Instagram.
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Meanwhile, artist Harold Khan introduced his unique artistic style in representing the powerful feminine psyche in his first solo exhibit, REYNA! Die Königinnen, was exhibited recently at Altro Mondo at Chino Roces Ave, Makati.
Here, the artist ensured that women’s strength is defined not just in physical terms, but in various aspects such as confidence, grit, wisdom, and self-control each individual possesses regardless of nationality or religion.
“There are also warrior queens who radiate with strength, honor, and pride, giving the message that women have what it takes to display patriotism and valor. The largest piece is my take on the Diwata, which of course, is a huge part of Filipino mythology and folklore. It is a one-off piece that isn’t part of a series much like how comic books do every once in a while,” shared Khan, who has a degree in advertising from UST.
After working for an advertising agency for more than two decades, while living in Vienna, Austria, the artist desired to eventually go back to his love for painting.
“It was a familiar feeling and eventually I found myself passionately working on several pieces that would form my Reyna series. The series features female characters that represent various nationalities that I have encountered through the years. Some speak of my Singaporean heritage, the years I spent in the Philippines, and my fascination with the cultures of Thailand and Japan among others.”
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Other exhibits worth visiting are the three solo exhibitions at the Galerie Stephanie, featuring works by architect and award-winning illustrator Jomike Tejido, Filipina visual artist and art educator Jem Magbanua, and Indonesian conservator and contemporary artist Imam Santoso.
The three exhibits, on view until April 2 (at Galerie Stephanie, located at the 6th Level East Wing of Shangri-la Plaza, Mandaluyong City) tap into the interconnectedness of society and its man-made creations. From freedom to create, to profound solitudes and introspective mapping of one’s self, these exhibitions offer a diverse tapestry of architecture, society, and the pillars of the human psyche.
In The Manifesto of Play, Filipino artist Tejido invites viewers into a whimsical world through vibrant colors, dynamic forms, and a playful exploration of mediums. The artist Tejido challenges conventional perceptions of art. From intricate illustrations to interactive installations, each piece encourages viewers to rediscover the joy of playfulness and imagination.
Santoso, meanwhile, presents Solitude, an exhibit that delves into the depths of human emotion, capturing moments of introspection and solitude. Through evocative compositions, Santoso invites viewers to contemplate the complexities of solitude – its beauty, its melancholy, and its power to provoke introspection.
Filipina visual artist Magbanua presents a captivating exploration of movement, rhythm, and spatial dynamics in Notes on Navigation and Other Oscillations. Through a series of graphite works, Magbanua invites viewers to navigate through a labyrinth of shifting perspectives both in a physical and philosophical sense. The exhibit challenges traditional notions of movement and time and redefines the idealisms of one’s roots and identity.