Words Marz Aglipay
November 5, 2024

Gallery Orange exhibited Pagtilipon-tipon, a huge exhibition that brought together 45 artists from seven prominent regional artist initiatives, including Agos Studio, led by Renato Habulan; Tungtung Alon Art Foundation, co-founded by Mark Justiniani and Joy Mallari; Pasilyo Press by Plet Bolipata and Elmer Borlongan; Eskinita Art Farm by Alfredo Esquillo; Linangan Art Residency, guided by Manny Garibay; Project Space Pilipinas, helmed by Leslie de Chavez; and the host venue, Orange Project, led by Charlie Co. This gathering reflects the invaluable role that mentorship and community plays in the development of emerging artists.

“Each of the artists mentoring the seven initiatives have known one another for many years, dating back to the 80s and 90s. For the last 20 years, we have been focused on our respective careers, but now we are fortunate to have achieved [our merits]. Now it’s about giving back to the community,” Co said at the opening reception. “Passing the baton feels natural to us. We’re not afraid; we’re happy to pass it on to the next generation.”

It’s likely that the senior artists drew inspiration from their dialogues and shared experiences, sparked by their previous group show at the Drawing Room exhibition titled Embodied in December 2023—where most of the participating artists, except for Bolipata and Borlongan, were part of. “Honestly, the exhibition is just an excuse for us to gather. This is probably the largest gathering we could create,” de Chavez noted.

The show occupies the entire gallery. The first floor features work by established artists, representing their established practices and artistic tendencies. On the second floor, works by select artists who have been involved in the respective artist-initiatives present emerging trends and trajectories.

Regarding its curation, although De Chavez was tasked with it, he remarked, “I must admit that curating an exhibition of both established and emerging artists is not easy. I would prefer to say that this exhibition is curated by the whole community, as all the leaders of the initiatives contributed to suggesting which artists would be represented.”

Voices of the Mentees

One of the impactful elements of Pagtilipon-Tipon is the insight shared by the mentees about their experiences. Leslie de Chavez, a mentor from Project Space Pilipinas, highlights the organic nature of their mentorship. Mentees Bea Roxas-Rogas and Efren Nantes express their journey, saying, “Wala naman expected mula sa amin, pero naramdaman namin yung push ni

Leslie sa amin bilang artists.” This reflects a mentorship style that values encouragement and hands-on involvement over rigid structures, fostering a more fluid and engaging learning environment.

For many of the mentee artists, this is their first trip to Bacolod. It’s imperative for the host gallery to ensure that the show’s programming enhances the young artists’ visit, and Orange Gallery is well-acquainted with hosting visiting artists. Almost all of the featured artists traveled to Bacolod to attend the opening, participate in talks, workshops, and tours of local artists’ workspaces. This event focused on creating a platform for these young artists to build connections with their peers.

The Importance of Mentorship and Collaboration

Pagtilipon-Tipon sheds light on the significance of mentor-mentee relationships in the arts, serving as a case study on the various ways young artists can refine their practice outside traditional university settings. Mentorship is a vital resource that can greatly influence an artist’s career. While some artists find mentors through formal education or networking, others discover opportunities through competitions. In many cases, artistic mentorship can feel elusive, which is why there is a palpable sense of gratitude among the younger artists.

The collaborative nature of mentorship is highlighted in the initiatives of participating artists. For example, the Tungtung Alon Art Foundation, led by Mark Justiniani and Joy Mallari, emphasizes long-term collaborations. This approach allows mentees to contribute directly to significant projects, including installations for major international events like the Singapore Biennale and the Venice Biennale. Joy captures this spirit by saying, “Lahat kami collaborator, tulad ko ang mga artists na nakakasama namin nagcocontribute.”

Similarly, Elmer Borlongan and Plet Bolipata's Pasilyo Press, located in San Antonio, Zambales, has a print-centered program underway. Their selected artists, despite being engaged with their respective mediums and cultural work, all have access to the studio’s printmaking facilities.

It is rare to see senior artists come together, given their differing ideologies and approaches to mentorship. However, for the participating artists, this gathering provided a unique opportunity to learn from one another. As de Chavez noted, “We are at this stage where we have the capacity to pass the baton. It’s not like the previous collectives we were part of. There’s no longer conflict among egos; our differences in politics, ideologies, and aspirations don’t need to exist within the collective. This is the right time and place for us to share our best practices [on our respective initiatives].”

Pagtilipon-tipon is on view at Orange Gallery until November 8, 2024

Authors note: Quotes have been edited for brevity and clarity.