Multi-Awarded Filipino Artist Opens Solo Exhibit in Berlin

Ambassador to Germany Ma. Theresa Dizon-de Vega (leftmost) welcomes guests to the exhibit. (Renante Estrella photo)

BERLIN 04 November 2019 — A multi-awarded Filipino artist held his first solo exhibit in Berlin on 28 to 31 October 2019 at the Philippine Embassy’s Sentro Rizal.

The exhibit features more than 20 of artist Sam Penaso’s collection of paintings with intricate geometric patterns, natural scenery, fictional characters, and human figures vividly depicted on canvas. 

Ambassador to Germany Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-de Vega led the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon to mark the opening of the exhibit. She was joined by Penaso and the exhibit’s curator, art impresario and Kunst Gallery Managing Director Virgilio Cuizon.

The event was attended by members of the diplomatic corps and Filipino community members as well as other Berlin-based expatriates.

In her remarks during the event, Ambassador Dizon-de Vega extolled Penaso’s immense talent and that of his fellow Filipino artists. She also expressed the Embassy’s readiness to help Filipino art in securing the recognition that it deserves in this part of the world.

The opening was capped with a reception featuring Filipino food and cocktails made of popular Filipino alcoholic drink Don Papa Rum.

Penaso is a multi-disciplinary artist whose works include paintings, sculptures, performance art, and hybrid works which straddle these disciplines.

His works have been previously featured in 27 solo exhibitions in Austria, Germany, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi), and the United States (New York). 

He won first place in the 2012 Art Association of the Philippines Annual Art Competitions, followed by a string of wins in the 2014 and 2016 GSIS Art Competition and the grand prize for the fourth Don Papa Rum National Art Competition. He also earned a spot in the finals of the 2013 Winter Grand Salon Show in New York and was a grantee of the Asian Arts Council. END

Ambassador to Germany Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-de Vega (left) and Nicaraguan Ambassador Tatiana Daniela Garcia Silva (right) view one of Penaso’s paintings on display. (Renante Estrella photo)

Penaso (left) goes into performance artist mode with his signature “Striped Walker” attire.

For more information, visit  https://www.berlinpe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philippine-embassy.de or https://www.facebook.com/PHinGermany.