Since 2018, The Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art (ILOMOCA) has been presenting contemporary works by local artists.

Written by Maia San Diego
September 6, 2023

The Visayas region is rich in art and cultural heritage. Through the years, more opportunities have paved the way for local Visayan artists to showcase their works to a wider audience. From VIVA Excon and the Visayas Art Fair to Bacolod’s Art District, the local art scene in the Visayas has gradually and steadily been expanding its reach.

With new art galleries opening up in the metro, Manila has become a jam-packed hub for both established and emerging contemporary artists in the Philippines. This opens up plenty of opportunities for artists from various backgrounds to show their art to the general public. Having more options for art platforms allows more chances for different voices to share their perspectives and show their works. Not too long ago, a local art institution in the Visayas region opened its doors to the public.

The Iloilo Museum Of Contemporary Art (ILOMOCA) opened in Iloilo City in March 2018. This platform for contemporary arts and culture has put the spotlight on Filipino artists, especially those from the island of Iloilo.

What is ILOMOCA? As a fresh art hub in Visayas, ILOMOCA opened just a couple of years before the pandemic hit. Now that the Philippine art community is getting back on its feet, it’s time to come visit. Visitors may find ILOMOCA at the Casa Emperador Building, situated at the center of the Iloilo Business Park Township. Occupying an approximate area of 3,000 square meters, the museum stands with three floors of exhibition space. Among these, ILOMOCA presents five exhibition rooms and a black box theater facility, in line with its vision of becoming a venue for art education.

ILOMOCA spearheads a lineup of exhibitions and outreach programs to contribute to the enrichment of the community in the Iloilo province. It is the premier art space in the Visayas region that is purely dedicated to showcasing modern and contemporary art. ILOMOCA stands by the transformative components of promoting creative community programs. The institution believes in the power of museums to use art as a tool for communicating ruminations on societal and social concerns.

The museum’s elegant interior greets guests upon entering. At the ground floor, visitors will be welcomed by the exhibition space named Hulot, meaning ‘room’ or ‘space’ in Hiligaynon. This space is for Ilonggo artists as well as local and international artists.

On the second floor, ILOMOCA dedicates three galleries that present contemporary works from a diverse range of local and international artists. Apart from these contemporary pieces, works by National Artists Arturo Luz, Napoleon Abueva, BenCab, and Abdulmari Imao are also part of the museum’s collection. Artworks by international masters include those by none other than Salvador Dali, Joan Miro, and Pablo Picasso.

The third floor houses the Adoracion Valencia Gallery, which includes the personal art collection of ILOMOCA’s primary patron, Edwin Valencia. This exhibition is dedicated to his mother, who paved the way for his affinity for art.

Apart from various exhibition spaces, ILOMOCA also boasts of its own theater facility called The Box. It is utilized for screenings, performances, theater productions, and workshops, among others. The venue can provide space for up to 80 people and is fully equipped to accommodate events.

ILOMOCA is envisioned to be the primary museum for contemporary art in Iloilo City. Relevant exhibitions and programming are intended to spark an initiative that will promote art appreciation and art education in the local community. ILOMOCA believes in the capacity of art to mirror current social conditions. With this main objective, ILOMOCA hopes to effect positive social transformation through art. The museum’s range of exhibitions provides a platform for visitors from all backgrounds to be exposed to a wide array of art forms and different takes on the realities of today.

It is time for the Philippine art community to expand its horizons. ILOMOCA provides an avenue for healthy discourse. Fostering communication and developing discipline through research, collaboration, and dialogue could help enhance an artist’s vision and perspective of the world around them. The institution may serve as a bridge to connect Filipino artists from across the regions, promoting an honest exchange of ideas in this age of information overload.

Access is the key to education, and the local community benefits from having a public venue to view, appreciate, and learn about art. Visiting ILOMOCA would also benefit those from outside the Visayas region, as guests will gain fresh insights into the state of contemporary art beyond their current circles. A wider view of the art community, and being able to put these into context, leads to a better understanding of the world around us.

Visit The Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art, located at the Casa Emperador Building, Iloilo Business Park Township. ILOMOCA is open from Tuesdays to Sundays from 10am to 6pm.