Proceeds of ‘The Gallery of Giving,’ hosted by Galeria Paloma, will be donated to Ayala Foundation in support of U-Go, a scholarship program for deserving but underprivileged young women, in celebration of Women’s Month

March 26, 2024

Select artworks of Julie Lluch, Onib Olmedo, Soler Santos, Bjorn Calleja, Ernest Concepcion, Carina Santos, Isabel Echevarria, Lina Llaguno-Ciani, Aba Dalena, Martin and Barbie Honasan, Basti Artadi, Sarah de Veyra-Buyco, Hamill Buyco, Carlos, and Ryan Cayabyab, among others, are up for auction in “The Gallery of Giving” — an online fundraiser ongoing till April 10 on www.galeriapaloma.com/auction. 

Presented by Galeria Paloma, the auction includes paintings, sculptures, objets d’art, and jewelry. Proceeds will be donated to Ayala Foundation in support of U-Go, a scholarship program for deserving but underprivileged young women, in celebration of Women’s Month. 

The event will commence with an onsite exhibition and viewing from 13 to 26 March. The online/silent auction will continue until April 10 online at U-Go provides scholarships to young, economically disadvantage to help them pursue higher education and gain meaningful employment. By nurturing talent and providing access to quality education, U-Go aims to break the cycle of poverty and empower their scholars to become agents of change in their families and communities. 

From N initial batch of 120 students, U-Go aims to expand to 1,000 students.

“I have been asked, ‘Why U-Go, and why education?’” said Mariana Zobel de Ayala, senior vice president for Leasing and Hospitality of Ayala Land Inc., and global board director of U-Go. “I believe that access to education could be a meaningful equalizer for Filipinos. I’m excited by the possibilities of what quality education can bring, not just for women in the country, their families, and communities, but also in bringing the most empowered economy forward.

“We are proud to be in the communities of 410 women who have been awarded U-Go scholarships so far,” she added. “Our aim is to more than double that in the next few years — and this is a special opportunity from Galeria Paloma to help us make it a reality.”

A section in the auction includes digital artists Luis Buenaventura, Skye Nicolas, AJ Dimarucot, and Isaiah Cacnio, plus another section featuring emerging artists.

Lluch, a sculptor known for powerful points of view on the female experience, presents in “Georgia Lily” an homage to feminist artist Georgia O’Keefe, building on the latter’s abstracted flower paintings with her own sculptural piece. 

Expressionist art legend Olmedo’s “The Widow,” previously exhibited at the Ayala Museum, is a haunting portrayal of longing. His other work, “Portrait,” features a back-to-back pairing with an unusual subject, “Flowers.” 

Among the notable digital art offerings is Nicolas’ “Don’t You Worry About the Situation [WM-17].” In his signature pixel paintings, remixed images are reduced to their essential structure, with graphic elements streamlined into nebulous, shimmering pixels dancing across the digital canvas. This is paired with a unique readymade piece, an original Sony WM-F17 Walkman with a mix tape compiled by Nicolas himself.

Buenaventura’s (aka Cryptopop) “Handmade” is a series of two artworks showing his engagement with current technological advancement: placing on center stage the conversation about whether artificial intelligence could possibly replace humans as the leading artists in the creation of art. 

On auction, too, is “Plenteous,” a chair made from vintage and recycled materials.

Fine jewelry by JJ Jiao is also on auction, each piece showcasing her signature filigree patterns and intricate detailing.

“U-Go was a cause we knew we could champion,” said Galeria Paloma co-director Kimberly Rocha-Delgado. “We are very grateful to U-Go for giving us the opportunity to make a contribution to the cause.”

Log on to www.galeriapaloma.com/auction until April 10. Contact Galeria Paloma at 0917 822 5673, or email contact@galeriapaloma.com