한국국제교류재단

ASEAN GALLERY

Philippine’s Rise in the Asian Art Market
By_ JeongEun-gyeong, CEO of EK Art Gallery

After 333 years (1565–1898) under Spanish rule, art in the Philippines was heavily influenced by Spanish oil painting techniques in form and Catholicism in theme. During the American colonization (1898–1946), the country was also affected by US capitalism. In the past, the Philippines used to be the richest country in Asia. But due to casualties in the Pacific War (1941–1945), the rise of strong anti-US sentiment following the country’sindependence, politicians’corruption, and the resulting extreme gap between the rich and poor, the Philippine economy deteriorated and hasyet to fully recover.

Meanwhile, this experience of political and social instability and economic inequality has inspired the nation’s contemporary artists. They began expressing themselves in depictions that chronicle or protest against the absurdities they face as individuals in Philippine society. The country boasts many art schools and internationally renowned artists, but the art market is still limited in size. To foster the commercial growth of the market, galleries have taken the initiative to organize international art fairs and arrange collaborative exhibitions between local art museums and overseas art institutions. Two particularly prestigious international art fairs are held every year in Metro Manila, the seat of the country’s government. In February, Art Fair Philippines is held at the Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati, and in October, Manil ART is held at the SMX Aura Convention Center on Bonifacio High Street in Taguig.

Although they are smaller in size compared to the Korea International Art Fair(KIAF) and Art Busan in South Korea, the sales are quite impressive, and a couple of Korean galleries have also been joining the events. Major participating art museums include the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design in Manila, the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, and the PintôArt Museum in Antipolo, east of Manila.