PH Participates for the First Time in the Biggest Art Event in Türkiye, Highlights Work of Filipino Contemporary Artists
From left to right: Consul Joy Banagodos, Ms. Lesley Cao, Ambasador Ma. Elena Algabre, Consul General Arvin de Leon, Ms. Martha Atienza, and the officials of the İstanbul Biennial Ms. Elif Kamisli and Ms. Ece Ogel during the welcome dinner hosted by CG de Leon for the participating Philippine artists on 15 September 2022. (Istanbul PCG photo)
ISTANBUL 21 September 2022 – The Philippines was represented for the first time in the 35-year history of the Istanbul Biennial, the biggest art event in Türkiye on 15 September 2022.
Filipino contemporary artists Martha Atienza and Lesley Anne-Cao featured their works in the 17th edition of the Biennial along with about 55 other artists around the world. Different venues in İstanbul have opened their doors to the public to see the artworks in display for free from 17 September until 20 November 2022.
The video installations of Ms. Martha Atienza have been drawing attention in Müze Gazhane, a 130 year-old power plant converted into a museum and located in the Asian side of İstanbul. Her works Adlaw Sang Mananagat(Fisherfolks Day), Sugdan Ko (It Starts With Me) and Way Pag Otro (Nothing Has Changed) delved on issues confronting the marine environment and fisherfolks of Bantayan İsland in Cebu.
Ms. Lesley Cao of the Green Papaya Art Projects, on the other hand, showcased her sound installation in Barın Han—the former workshop in the city’s European side of Emin Barın, Türkiye’s leading calligrapher and book-binding artist. Her work entitled Running Backwards Below 20 Waves Per Second is a reflection on death or dormancy of artist-run initiatives in the Philippines.
The participation of the members of the Green Papaya Art Projects was made possible with the support from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Philippine Consulate General in İstanbul. END
Müze Gashane, where Ms. Atienza’s works are shown and admired by the visiting public. (Istanbul PCG photos)
Curatorial Statement on Ms. Lesley Cao’s sound installation at the İstanbul Biennial. (Istanbul PCG photos)
For more information, visit https://istanbulpcg.dfa.gov.ph/ or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinIstanbul/.