Eye Contact: a celebration of queerdom!
- 23 hours ago
- 2 min read
It's a celebration of queerdom!
A dozen queer artists invade the exhibition space at gallery. sort of.’s annual Pride exhibition.
Serving as the fourth edition of its Pride celebrations, Eye Contact promises insane talent from the best queer artists in the local contemporary art scene. Twelve pairs of queer eyes explore in this offering the frisson of instant attraction, and the attendant jumble of emotions that this arouses. Hope, fear, excitement, danger - these artists tap into their experiences with that familiar, thrilling look from a passing stranger.
From the curatorial notes: “It has been said that the “look” is actually a survival tactic. Developed out of the need for discretion. For protection. For those times when being queer was a crime, and when even acting different could land one in jail.
The gay stare assesses the lay of the land: is there mutual attraction? Does he want it as much as I do?
The look establishes possibility. Is that interest? Perhaps, even consent?”
Seven of these artists (illustrator Justin Abrigado, bear watercolorist Deej Amago, figurative whiz kid Mark Hernandez, the psychedelic dazzler Idwardo, pop favorite Mark Weigh, lush brooder Brent Sabas and Aklanon homoerotic painter Gelo Zarsuelo) reprise their Pride appearances, while new blood Chumason Njigha and Jehu Sabado debut in this venue. Thai artist Anmom, already making waves in the international art scene with gallery appearances in both Taiwan and Thailand (as well as Manila) joins the merry mix with delightful face cards. Meanwhile mainstays Allyster Arroza and Nathan Esguerra, fresh from major exhibitions in Alabang, Cebu and/or Bangkok, take part in Pride for the first time.
It’s a merry mix with this diverse cast of talent, and their varying styles promise works that will appeal to nearly everyone with an artistic bent. From figurative to pop, from erotic to wistful, from poetic to psychedelic, this exhibit demonstrate the vast range of talent available in the Philippine scene.
The exhibition opens on June 14, Sunday, at 4:00 p.m., and will be on view for the next four weeks. The gallery is located at 37 Camaro St., Fairview Park, Quezon City.
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