Xavier Art Fest 2022
“Aside from the Art Fair Philippines and ALT Philippines, another emerging art event in Metro Manila is also catching the attention of art collectors, patrons, and artists. Annually held at Xavier School in San Juan since its inception in 2014, it doesn't only feature alumni from the all-boys school and the all-girls Immaculate Conception Academy, but also a number of artists and galleries from all over the country. For this year, the highly anticipated Xavier Art Fest is showcasing over 40 galleries.”
Matrota
79 x 65 cm
“This series of works centers on drawing the features I found most striking in the women who had posed for me. This focus revolves around one of my realizations: we never see someone objectively. Our perception is shaped instantly by our personal lens, influenced by how their pitch of voice, their mannerisms, and our preconceived notions. The way they talk seems to alter the curve of their cheek, their gestures seem to change the shape of their forehead, even their eyes change in shade depending on how they carry their head.
After further thought, it brought me to consider how women are perceived individually by others. How do conservative, liberal, or religious biases alter our view of a woman we hardly know? Is she seen as reckless or unapproachable? Sweet and angelic? What dictates these perceptions—her hair color, the shape of her eyes, or the cultural context we were raised in? Media alone already plays such a large part. We know a strong, self-serving Opportunist character when she presents herself. We know the damsel in distress by her attire. But what if the romantic, sweetheart likes to wear strict corpperate attire? What if the rough, and tough gal likes to wear lace and floral?
Why are there so many rules and regulations on how a woman may or may not appear? Why is she always stuck in a role, so greatly defined by if she has an angular face or a round one? A destinction so greatly iengrained in us by the life and influences we live in.”
Kitsa
79 x 65 cm
Taluli
79 x 65 cm
