Daloy-Likha Art Gallery will open the year with a book launch centered on contemporary Philippine art on January 15, at 4 p.m. The event marks the release of “Lady Masters of Contemporary Philippine Arts,” a publication that documents the work and contributions of women artists in the country.
‘Lady Masters of Contemporary Philippine Arts’ documents the work and contributions of women artists in the country.
PHOTO FROM LANDER BLANZA
The book — authored and published by this writer — focuses on the varied approaches, voices and careers of Filipina artists who have shaped and continue to shape the contemporary art landscape. Holding the launch at Daloy-Likha reflects a shared commitment to recognizing artistic contribution and preserving narratives that are often underrepresented in art history. As an early-year event, the occasion signals continuity while looking toward future artistic production.
Among the featured artists is National Artist nominee Lydia Velasco, whose paintings depict women through assertive forms and confident brushwork. Her figures challenge conventional representations by emphasizing strength and physical presence.
El Tagle Margate is represented through works that reflect versatility across disciplines. Known for portraiture, she captures both likeness and character, informed by a background in animation that lends movement and narrative to her compositions. Her Mariya characters demonstrate a consistent visual language marked by precision and attention to detail.
Christine Acedera’s work centers on her recurring figures, Pangga and Bhe. Rendered through deliberate distortion and exaggeration, these characters reject traditional aesthetic norms and use awkwardness as a means of expression rather than embellishment.
Marie Joyce Valdeabella-Ashworth began painting in 2019 after a career in business development abroad. Working primarily in acrylic, graphite and charcoal, her practice moves between abstraction and contemporary realism. She often uses a muted palette of colors to balance light and shadow and evoke quiet strength and resilience.
Watercolorist Suklin Chang, a self-taught artist who began painting in 2016, is known for works depicting florals, landscapes and scenes from daily life. Her loose application of color emphasizes immediacy and observation. Her work has appeared in several international exhibitions.
Abstractionist Owie Chiong is both an artist and gallerist, and a co-owner of VAM International Art Gallery. Her practice includes painting and sculpture, alongside active involvement in promoting both emerging and established artists in the local art scene.
Tin Dizon, a contemporary visual artist from Tarlac City, works with mixed media and textured surfaces. Trained in Architecture and Fine Arts, her artistic career gained momentum during the 2020 lockdown. Her work often incorporates regional references and symbolic elements, reflecting personal experience and emotional states.
Agnes “Nes” Medina, a graduate of the University of Santo Tomas, is known for her vibrant visual work and her role in arts education. She is closely involved with the Cultura Performing Arts Guild at the University of Makati and has organized exhibitions such as “Art of Mind.”
Elizabeth Payte-Montecillo balances a professional background in civil engineering and interior design with an active art practice. Her work includes commissioned oil and acrylic paintings, as well as custom-painted leather pieces.
Mariquit Reventar, a retired architect and licensed broker, now focuses on acrylic painting. She has participated in numerous exhibitions and workshops and remains active within artist communities.
Wendy Rondaris recently held her debut solo exhibition, “Art Peace,” at Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria. Her work combines vivid color with a mix of traditional and contemporary elements, and portions of her exhibition proceeds were donated to Project Pearls, an organization that supports underprivileged children and families through education and empowerment.
Marissa Nombres works primarily in watercolor, producing detailed floral and nature-based compositions. Her piece “Apple Blossom” (2024) has been included in gallery exhibitions.
Vicky Ortega-Pollisco, a lawyer and real estate expert, is also known for her realistic floral paintings and explorations in abstraction. She is a GSIS Art Competition finalist and has exhibited works in venues such as Sunshine Place.
Finally, Avic Zamora, a Fine Arts graduate of the College of the Holy Spirit, is a modernist painter whose figurative abstractions explore faith, family and everyday life through strong lines and color.
Together, these artists reflect the breadth of contemporary Philippine art practice.
Through their diverse practices, they embody the richness, complexity, and evolving identity of Philippine contemporary art. Each brings a distinct voice and visual language, yet together they reflect a shared commitment to innovation, authenticity, and cultural dialogue. Their works challenge conventions, expand narratives, and give form to experiences often overlooked or underrepresented.
More than their technical mastery, it is their courage to pursue individual visions that positions them at the forefront of today’s art landscape. They serve as inspirations to younger generations of artists.
