Ties of History: Art in Southeast Asia Opens at Yuchengco Museum

When people are looking for ways to break borders and promote unity, they turn to art. Whether it is visual, song, or dance, art has the amazing ability to bind everyone together. It shows the forgotten connection that was lost as borders were created and maps were drawn.

Retablo ng Pangkaraniwang Santo by Roberto Feleo (Philippines)

Ties of History: Art in Southeast Asia takes its name from a phrase from the original document that the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) founders signed in 1967. The exhibit features select works from 10 artists, one from every ASEAN nation and will be held at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila (MET Manila), Yuchengco Museum, and the University of the Philippines Vargas Museum, simultaneously.

Also read: Ties of History: Art in Southeast Asia 

Man Lying by Do Huang Tuong (Vietnam)

Mr. Cesar Virata, Yuchengco Museum Trustee and former Prime Minister

Deserted Buildings by Jedsada Tangtrakulwong (Thailand)

After it opened at the MET Museum on August 8, 2018, it was the Yuchengco Museum’s turn on August 9, 2018. All the artists were present save for Ms. Jasmin Jaidin, who couldn’t leave her teaching duties in Brunei.

Naga Cities by Savavnhdary Vongpoothorn (Laos) 

Yuchengco Museum curator Ms. Jeannie Javelosa reading Senator Loren Legarda’s message

Rise and Fall by Vuth Lyno (Cambodia)

The opening remarks were given by Yuchengco Museum Trustee and former Prime Minister, Mr. Cesar Virata. After that, Ms. Jeannie Javelosa, the curator of the Yuchengco Museum, read Senator Loren Legarda’s welcome message.

Padayon Rondalla

Padayon Rondalla with Ms. Stephanie Quintuin 

Salty Like It’s 1999 by Yasmin Jaidin (Brunei) 

Before the exhibit’s curator gave his message, Padayon Rondalla and Ms. Stephanie Quintuin serenaded the audience. After the short performance, Dr. Patrick D. Flores, exhibit curator, art historian, and professor of art studies, gave the final remarks.

Her Identity by Amanda Heng (Singapore)

Dr. Patrick D. Flores, the exhibit’s curator

Restroom by Min Thein Sung (Myanmar)

 The exhibit is presented by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts through the Dalubhasaan Para sa Edukasyon sa Sining at Kultura (DESK) and the support of the Office of Senator Loren Legarda. It will be held in all three locations until October 6, 2018.

Percy’s Flowers by Chris Chong Chan Fui (Malaysia)

Shadow Series #2 by Anusapati (Indonesia)