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BenCab cuts ceremonial ribbon assisted by Gail Hills and Deanna and David Sutherland |
Possibly
the biggest and most diverse collection of Philippine art is currently on show
in Hong Kong, courtesy of Galleria Camaya, and will last until Monday, Nov. 20.
No less
than the Philippines’ National Artist for Visual Arts, BenCab or Ben Cabrera,
was on hand to open the exhibit on Thursday, Nov. 15, at the Hong Kong Visual
Arts Centre on Kennedy Road, along with Galleria Camaya’s owner, Gail Hills,
and David and Deanna Sutherland of International Care Ministries.
A sample
of BenCab’s priceless works are among those on display at two back-to-back exhibits
painstakingly gathered and curated by Hills, who is herself a renowned artist
and philanthropist, and former president of Pintura Circle, a group made up of
Hong Kong-based Filipino artists.
The
exhibits include “This is Philippine Art,” where a collection of the most outstanding
works of emerging new artists in the Philippines can be viewed.
They
include Abi Dionisio, Addie Cukingnan,
Ardien Aspan, Armando “Pirasso” de la Cruz, Bullet Dematera, Enrie Nicdao,
Gerrico Blanco, Guada Ramos Funtilar, Jaime Gubaton, Jeff Dahilan, Jerrico
Eniel, Jojo Ramirez, Jo Uygongco, Julmard Vicente, Keith Paras, Loida Uncianco
Bernardo, Maryrose Gisbert, Marius Black Funtilar, Noel Ceriola, Norlie
Meimban, Rica Cena, Rosa Maria Manayon, Rene Resella, Stella
Tansengco-Schapero, Wence Zyl and many others.
Separately,
a solo show by Kenneth John Montegrande
titled “A Light on my Path” and featuring his moonscape series, opened at the
same time.
This
is Montegrande’s 19th solo
exhibition worldwide, and follows his acclaimed show in New York last year. His
works are included in the Tokyo Contemporary Museum and are with various international
art collectors.
A video of the collection can be viewed here: https://www.facebook.com/gailhk/videos/713357757039780
Apart
from dabbling in various art forms, most notably ceramic painting, Hills has
been collecting Philippine art and
identifying outstanding Filipino artists to help them shine on the
international stage. Through Galleria Camaya, Hills has mounted shows not just
in Hong Kong, but also in Vienna and New York.
Hong
Kong being her home base, Hills has also undertaken various activities to help
raise money for the underprivileged, particularly migrant workers. During the
pandemic she even sewed face masks using the best weather-proof textile, to
help finance the needs of clients at Bethune House Migrant Women’s Shelter.
From the
beginning she has given back to the community by donating a big part of the
proceeds of her successful exhibits to various causes.
For this
show, Hills has earmarked as beneficiaries Bethune House and the International
Care Ministries, which has for years raised money for the “poorest of the poor”
in the Philippines.
All the
art works on display, except for those of BenCab, are for sale, either through
direct purchase, or silent bidding.
The show
is open to everyone, from 10am to 9pm everyday. The Visual Arts Centre is
located at No 7 Kennedy Road, Central.