15 September 2014 - The Philippine Embassy in Athens launched “Daloy,” the first-ever art exhibition by Filipino contemporary artist Emmanuel Garibay in Greece. The exhibition opened on September 8 at the Tsichritzis Visual Arts Foundation in Kifissia, attended by guests from a wide spectrum of society, including the diplomatic and consular corps, shipping, business, academe, as well as patrons of the arts and culture.
“Daloy,” which means “flow” in Filipino, mirrors the artist’s spontaneous creative process. The exhibit features some 25 pieces of art, many of which are recent works depicting the lives of ordinary people and their realities, and how they evoke scenes of political, social and spiritual complexities. The Philippine Embassy organized the exhibit as part of its economic and cultural diplomacy program, and as a run-up to the celebration of the 65th year of Philippine – Greece relations in 2015.
Philippine Ambassador to Greece Meynardo LB. Montealegre said that the “Daloy” art exhibition is an excellent way to introduce the rich multi-cultural heritage of the Philippines to Greece. He added that through “Daloy,” the Embassy seeks to sustain and enhance the keen interest in the Philippines of the Greek community, which it aims to achieve with a series of cultural activities that the Embassy has embarked upon since 2012. These include three consecutive exhibitions featuring fine Philippine furniture and home furnishings; exquisite Philippine shellcraft, accessories and home furnishings made of indigenous weaves and fabric; and the “Banaca Goes Athena’’ fashion exhibition of Philippine wrap artiste Dita Sandico Ong, held consecutively at the Philippine diplomatic receptions in June 2012, 2013 and 2014.
Multi-awarded Filipino artist Emmanuel “Manny’’ Garibay has made his mark in Philippine art circles for his expressionist figurative style. His extensive background in fine arts, sociology, and theology influence the content of his body of work, many of which reflect a keen social, political and religious consciousness. Manny’s works have been exhibited locally and internationally since the 1990s in countries which include Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Israel, Singapore, USA, the Netherlands, Germany and Sweden.
On September 10, the Philippine Embassy arranged a special viewing of the exhibit for friends of the Embassy and teachers and students from the Philippine School in Greece. Mr. Garibay imparted to the students information about his works and entertained some questions about the exhibit and his experiences as an artist.
The art exhibition ran from September 9 to 13 at the Tsichritzis Visual Arts Foundation, 18 Kassavetti, 14562 Kifisia. The exhibition is free and open to the public. END