In celebration of the 11th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta of Women (RA 9170), the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art (ILOMOCA) puts the spotlight on women artists and their contribution to the Philippine art landscape with an online exhibition entitled “7.23%.”
The event, which will open on August 14 until October 19, aims to spur discussions on women’s representation and gender inequities that exist in art and cultural institutions.
The concept of the exhibit is inspired by the proportion of works attributed to women artists (only 7.23 percent) that comprise ILOMOCA’s entire collection.
The figure also represents the disproportionate realities faced by women, as manifested in pay gaps and domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence.
The show also poses a challenge for the Iloilo museum to attain a higher ratio of art made by women, and generates a call to action to address such inequality.
“I wholeheartedly support the need to push for and support more programs to encourage and embolden women artists and women in general. I am excited with this project because hopefully it will generate the right discussion and for my part, a call to action on how to address the inequality,” says Ilonggo art collector and ILOMOCA art patron Edwin Valencia.
Curated by Marika Constantino, “7.23%” will feature artworks by 44 artists to be “exhibited” on ILOMOCA’s Facebook page. Featured artworks are part of Valencia’s collection.
“We are bringing our museums closer to more people, including the international community, through this virtual art exhibit in the time of a global pandemic,” says Tefel Pesigan-Valentino, vice president and head of marketing and business development at Megaworld Lifestyle Malls.
ILOMOCA is located at Casa Emperador in Megaworld’s Iloilo Business Park township.
ILOMOCA will kick off the “7.23%” exhibit via Facebook livestream on August 14 at 7:23 p.m. On the same day, the museum will be holding an online conversation with artists Moreen Austria, Lyra Garcellano, Alee Garibay, and Michelle Lua-Hollanes, together with Constantino.