Curatorial Notes
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"Triptych" explores the complex interplay between identity, memory, emotion, and individual agency with a particular focus on women's experiences and perspectives. The collaboration began as a conversation with Patreng Non, Kahlo Imao, and Michelle Alde about the seminal line from Sylvia Plath's semi-autobiographical novel, "The Bell Jar" (set in 1953) published in 1963 under a pseudonym: "I took a deep breath and listened to the old brag of my heart. I am, I am, I am." Since this prompt captures a moment of profound self-affirmation amidst the suffocating pressure of societal expectations and limitations, it led to questions such as: "Who am I as an Artist?"; "Who am I as a Filipina?"; and "Who am I, really?" Surprisingly, these deeply familiar thoughts were often the most difficult to confront, or the easiest to evade.
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In response, the team sought to create a safe launchpad allowing the artists to evaluate and execute their artistic visions. Faced with burgeoning questions of identity and self affirmation each artist managed to forge a rich depiction of visual narratives from ground up during a three-month-stretch. Their attempts to embody and reconstruct fragmented memory narratives can be viewed through the dualistic lens of nostalgia. As important as the intensive production work, moments of isolation, deliberate pauses, and rest were crucial components in their journey. Gradually their fluid and iterative creative trajectories fused together into a collective tapestry, much like a visual quilt or pieces of a puzzle forming a unified image. The final works capture their unique voices, while acknowledging the shared inspirations and challenges they face and aspire to highlight in today's artistic landscape.
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It is worth mentioning that while all of them pursued Fine Arts from the University of the Philippines, Diliman, their artistic statements, styles, and chosen mediums differ significantly. The exhibit showcases approximately 154 small to medium scale artworks from relief tile- sculptures, woodcut on fabric prints, resin sculptures, to oil and acrylic on canvas paintings.
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Each artwork in "Triptych" is a subtle revelation of the artist's vulnerability and the idea that ordinary lives, personal stories, and objects carry just as much weight as grand narratives or historical events. Through careful selection and arrangement, the show aims to create a dialogue between the viewer and the artworks, prompting reflections about identity, and self worth. Since this exhibition marks an important milestone in Patreng, Kahlo, and Michelle's creative careers, please leave a note in our guestbook to capture the insights that emerged for you during your visit. They'd be glad to know which artwork resonates most strongly with you, and why? How has your definition of identity and worth been challenged, or affirmed, by the art pieces you have witnessed?"
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- Eryl Torres
