Metro Manila is home to numerous galleries, museums, and art shows that feature artwork from local and foreign artists. Often, the pieces follow various styles, like classical, abstract, realism, and contemporary. However, not all artists, especially contemporary ones, get the opportunity to have theirs displayed for public viewing.
Vintana.ph is here to change that. Vintana is an online Philippine contemporary art gallery that aims to redefine the Filipino gallery experience. The gallery also doubles as an online resource featuring educational content on contemporary art.
This year, Vintana went from URL to IRL (in real life) with The Little Big Art Show, a small show featuring big talent, at The Astbury in Poblacion, Makati.
Some upcoming and established artists who answer the question, “What is Filipino contemporary art today?” include Lourd de Veyra, Kirk Dijamco, Jaime Pacena, and more.
Vintana.ph founders Ram Bautista, Angela Gaddi, and Ryan Robert Flores work closely with these artists as they share content meant to expand the art community to make it more accessible to every Filipino.
“There are many art galleries out there, but we want a place that’s special. We want something that gives back to the community in the sense of it being a place of gathering,” said Bautista, Vintana.ph’s co-founder and managing director.
Inaugurated on July 16, the physical exhibit found a home underneath the premier creative hub, The Astbury. It occupies 170 square meters of gallery space to house works from current and future greats of Philippine contemporary art. Its exteriors are reminiscent of New York City’s subway stations, from the graffiti-sprayed walls and metal directional signage hanging above the entryway. Going down its ramp takes art lovers and curious enthusiasts to a space where local contemporary art thrives.
Choosing the location, according to Bautista, was a thorough process for the owners because they wanted to secure a place in the metro that invites guests to immerse themselves in the contemporary arts.
Bautista added that their goal isn’t to gatekeep art but to bridge academic, commercial, and popular aspects of art in service of the art community.
Vintana.ph began as an online gallery to highlight art in the online space. It addresses a unique need for a democratic platform to bridge the distance between artists and the public.
“We started online, and part of the idea was from wanting to sell art is do something that hasn’t already done. We thought of featuring our local contemporary artists, and then we branched out to art history,” Gaddi added.
Feedback from their followers praises Vintana.ph’s founders for making art history understandable to everyday people without completely toning down its purpose and message.
By expanding the art community, the gallery initiates a cycle wherein people gain greater artistic literacy and appreciation for art that grows the market to the benefit of the Filipino artists.
The Little Big Art Show runs until July 27 at The Astbury and online at www.vintana.ph. Every month, Vintana.ph is also planning to release new exhibitions to bring more artists (and their works) closer to the public.