The energy inside Conrad Manila’s Gallery C shifts as visitors move from one canvas to the next. The hotel’s newest Of Art and Wine installment, Return & Remember: Places & Home by Filipino-Canadian artist J.A. Tan turns the space into an exploration of memory and belonging, guided by an artist whose perspective expands how visitors experience art.
Running until Jan. 17, the exhibition gathers 36 paintings drawn from Tan’s life across Vancouver, the Philippines, Europe, and the United States.
The works are less about mapping where he has been and more about revealing how each place has shaped him. Layers of color and emotion come together to form a sense of home that evolves with every memory.
The artist, who is on the autism spectrum, brings forward a viewpoint rarely showcased in major galleries. His expressive style carries sensory depth and emotional clarity, giving visitors an opportunity to engage with neurodiverse storytelling through visual form. Inside Gallery C, his canvases shape an atmosphere where lived experiences are fully felt.
Conrad Manila underscored this commitment during the opening event. General manager Rupert Hallam emphasized the hotel’s focus on inclusivity and the significance of featuring Tan in the 38th edition of its art series. For Tan, the exhibition serves as a gathering of moments that influenced his understanding of self.
“Inclusivity has always been at the heart of our values at Conrad Manila,” said Rupert Hallam, general manager of Conrad Manila. “This new exhibit is especially meaningful to us, as it features the world-class talent of J.A. Tan. We are honored to provide a platform for his story and perspectives that resonate deeply with human experience.”
The ribbon-cutting ceremony brought together leaders in hospitality, arts, and advocacy, including SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation president Elizabeth Sy, executive vice president Peggy Angeles, Autism Society Philippines national spokesperson Mona Magno-Veluz, guest of honor Maribel Calma, Hallam, and Tan.
Inclusivity guided the evening’s auction as well. A limited-edition reprint of Tan’s Rice Fields, merchandise based on his works, and a special Montecorneo 570 Albe 2021 Grechetto Passito dessert wine were offered to guests. All proceeds went directly to the Autism Society Philippines.
To extend the experience beyond the gallery, C Lounge launched an afternoon tea set inspired by Tan’s vibrant palette. Available throughout the exhibition’s run, the menu includes roasted pumpkin feta mousse tartlet, pork adobo polenta cake, smoked salmon yuzu cream on rye, roasted mung bean chocolate coconut shell, Valrhona guanaja moist chocolate cake, and mango calamansi mousse with crispy black rice—served with tea or coffee for two.
Return & Remember: Places & Home is open to the public at Gallery C. For artwork inquiries, call +632 8833 9999 or email Conrad.Manila.info@conradhotels.com. For C Lounge reservations, guests may reach MNLMB.FB@ConradHotels.com.
