Beyond Forms

More than an exhibition, ‘HUGIS: When Memories Take Shape’ explores how memory, materiality, and creativity shape Filipino identity.

Word Mian Centeno
Photo courtesy of The ART HOUSE
September 06, 2025

The ART HOUSE presents ‘HUGIS: When Memories Take Shape,’ a contemporary art exhibition from September 5 to 21 at ArtistSpace, Ayala Museum, Makati. 

The exhibition features the works of 0270501 and Veronica Ibarreta, curated by Marika Constantino, inviting audiences to discover how memory, materiality, and creativity intersect in shaping Filipino identity.

At its core, Hugis is about form, how shapes, contours, and materials trace the stories of individuality. Beyond the literal form, the show reflects on how histories and memories mold identity. 

HUGIS NG PINAGMULAN (2025) - Veronica Ibarreta - 48h x 36w in - Oil and Acrylic on Canvas

“These are not passive reverberations of times gone by but rather reclamations of land and lineage,” notes Constantino. 

For 0270501, known for massive textured works and installations, art emerges from “controlled chaos.” From raw and organic resources to industrial materials, he transforms overlooked objects into artifacts and mementos. 

His practice examines how abaca and other indigenous resources carry histories of colonial past, environmental impact, and social justice—threads woven into his “controlled chaos” identity. 

In contrast, Veronica Ibarreta is renowned for her meticulous pointillism and floral series, drawing from her roots in Rinconada, Bicol, and her life in Manila. Building imagery dot by dot, her process marks a meditation on time, patience, and beauty. It reflects identity, nationalism, and female empowerment, expanding into mixed media while staying grounded in cultural heritage. 

Together, their contrasting yet complementary voices form a dialogue between abstraction and intimacy, destruction and beauty, chaos and stillness. The exhibition traces identities in motion—not only who we are, but who we might still become.

For The ART HOUSE, HUGIS highlights its mission to amplify Philippine creativity and identity through contemporary platforms. “Shows like HUGIS allow us to continuously challenge our roster of artists to further their commitment to exploring materiality—and in the process, shape their identities as Filipino artists,” says founder Carlo Pineda. 

The ART HOUSE continues to champion innovative approaches to art, fostering community engagement and conversations around heritage, sustainability, and society. ‘HUGIS: When Memories Take Shape’ is a testament to this vision, reminding audiences that the past is not static, but alive, shaping both art and Filipino identity.