A milestone anniversary for the Philippines’ longest-running gallery, honoring decades of artistic vision, discovery, and enduring cultural impact.

Words Gerie Marie Consolacion
Photos courtesy of Coleen Wong and Gerie Marie Consolacion
January 16, 2026

December 5, 1975, marked the founding of Galleria Duemila. Fifty years later, it stands as the longest-running art gallery in the Philippines, a beacon for Filipino and international artists alike.

From its early days to today, the gallery has been guided by the vision of its founder, Silvana Ancellotti-Diaz, whose passion for art has shaped Philippine modern and contemporary art for generations. The 50th-anniversary exhibition, AVANTI, SEMPRE AVANTI / FORWARD, ALWAYS FORWARD, opening on January 13, 2026, celebrates this enduring legacy.

A Founder’s Vision

For Silvana Ancellotti-Diaz, Galleria Duemila was born out of personal passion and a profound love for art. During the gallery opening, Art+ Magazine had the privilege to listen to Silvana’s speech.

"I think that Filipino art saved my life," she said. Moving from Italy to the Philippines, she found herself isolated and yearning for intellectual and cultural engagement. "I was just in the house of my mother-in-law and alone. My husband was working, so the majority of my day was alone. No interaction, contact. So, it was very hard for me. I like to discuss and to learn. It's very important that I do it."

Her journey reflects a philosophy that has defined the gallery: art is not just for collecting or selling—it is about knowledge, curiosity, and the human connection. "Money has never been–in the essence. My priority has always been artworks, books, ceramics, glasses, or whatever. The gallery is about life, about culture, about knowledge."

Preserving Artistic Legacies

Galleria Duemila has long been a guardian of both Filipino and international art. Silvana recalls her pioneering efforts to document and exhibit Italian artists like Francesco Riccardo Monti, a refugee during the fascist era, and Leonardo De Lorenzo.

"Being Italian here, and looking at the work of Francesco Riccardo Monti, I just said, 'Oh my God, he did so many things for this country.' He loved this country. So, I started registering, coding, and documenting Monti. But I also did the book on Leonardo De Lorenzo, and then Retrospective."

Retrospectives, she explained, reveal an artist’s entire creative journey: “The true retrospective is extremely important because you can see the full body of work. You see his whole life, his whole creation.”

Championing Filipino Artists, at Home and Abroad

Silvana’s gallery has been instrumental in promoting Filipino artists locally and internationally, including those working abroad.

"I always pioneer artists, Filipino artists that live abroad. Why? Because they will not be known in their own country if there is not somebody who will exhibit their work," she explained. Artists like Duddley Diaz and others have benefited from this dedication, ensuring their contributions are remembered and celebrated.

Her gallery has also nurtured emerging Filipino talents, fostering long-term friendships and collaborations that have shaped the Philippine art scene. "Filipino artists, they are my friends, they are my brothers, they are my inspiration."

Fifty Years of Fearless Collecting

Collecting, for Silvana, has always been about vision rather than value. From her first acquisition in 1986, she prioritized artworks over material luxuries: “Instead of buying jewelry, I will buy a painting. Instead of buying a car, I will buy a painting. Instead of buying a television, I will buy a painting.”

She also supported artists whose works were not yet appreciated locally. "Imagine the disappointment of this artist, his own country. We did not even sell one. I was the one who bought it."

AVANTI, SEMPRE AVANTI at 50 Years

To mark this milestone, Galleria Duemila presents AVANTI, SEMPRE AVANTI / FORWARD, ALWAYS FORWARD: 50 Years of Philippine Modern Art (1975-2025), a two-month exhibition from January 13 to March 14, 2026, at 210 Loring Street, Pasay City.

The show features paintings, mixed media, works on paper, and sculptures created between 1957 and 2018. Many of these works have never or rarely been seen by recent generations. Intuitively chosen from Galleria Duemila’s vast collection, the pieces reflect Silvana’s instinctive eye for artworks that surprise, provoke, and delight, rather than their market value.

The exhibition celebrates a remarkable roster of artists, including Pacita Abad, Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera, Arturo Luz, Jose Joya, Cesar Legaspi, Roberto Chabet, R. M. De Leon, Julie Lluch, Imelda “Impy” Pilapil, Juvenal Sanso, and many others who have shaped Philippine modern and contemporary art.

In conjunction with the exhibition, walk-throughs and panel discussions featuring writers, art critics, and artists will be scheduled from January to March 2026, open to the public.

Innovation and Courage in the Art World

Silvana emphasizes the importance of artistic integrity. "The worst thing is when an artist works just for selling. The best period of an artist's life is when an artist is in crisis. There is no market that pushes you. So the poor artist, anytime he will go out, I think it’s great courage."

Even after fifty years, Galleria Duemila continues to innovate, participating in international collaborations and art fairs while nurturing the local scene.

"There will be art, and after this, we will have a longer video show to rate and time also. And then, then I rest for a while," she said, reflecting her balance of relentless dedication and measured pacing.

A Legacy of Love, Knowledge, and Vision

From its founding in 1975 to its 50th anniversary, Galleria Duemila has remained faithful to its core mission: to celebrate, preserve, and champion the work of artists who shape culture and inspire curiosity.

"Life is very simple," Silvana says. Her gallery is proof of that philosophy—a place where art transcends market value, where creativity is nurtured, and where generations of artists have found a home and a champion.

Fifty years on, Galleria Duemila is not just a gallery, it is a testament to the transformative power of art, and the enduring vision of a woman who never stopped following her passion.

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