10 years of art in the mall

Eleven years ago, if people suggested that art was finally going to be accessible to the mall-going public, not everybody would have believed it. But then SM Artwalk happened 10 years ago and art did indeed become closer to those to whom art mattered.

The popular row of galleries at the SM Megamall will be showcasing "Ten Years of Artwalking" in a two-week celebration from Nov. 27 to Dec. 10.

Among the series of events are an evening of performance art, an exhibit of Juvenal Sanso’s Horizons at the SM Art Center, and lectures and raffle draws.

There is, after all, much to celebrate. When it opened in 1992, the art-gallery-in-a-mall was, in the words of West Gallery’s Soler, one of the Artwalk pioneers, "Very brave; it had never been done before." Today, SM Artwalk has 17 galleries and an Art Center where major exhibitions are held, allowing people from all walks of life to appreciate art.

Among the Artwalk‘s first galleries were Finale, West Gallery, Galleria Duemila, Contreras Sculpture, Gallery Genesis, Pacheco Art Gallery, Heritage Art Center, Old Manila, and Unang Panahon.

Finale’s Evita Sarenas first saw the potential of the concept when she organized Juvenal Sanso’s successful Bulaklak exhibit in 1991 at SM Megamall. After 10 years, Evita feels "fulfilled to have been part of the Artwalk experience that has helped promote Philippine art. Before the Artwalk brought it to the mainstream, only the very cultured ones could appreciate art." Finale has carved a reputation as a dynamic and vibrant gallery; it has brought art to key cities in the country such as Cebu, as well as to other countries like Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore.

West Gallery’s Soler says there is also a lot of synergy among the galleries, which works well for the customer. As an artist himself, Soler has had exhibits at the Art Center – one-man shows and joint exhibitions with his father Malang and brother Stevesantos.

Galleria Duemila’s Silvana Ancellotti-Diaz, meanwhile, thought that opening at the Artwalk was the best way to reach out.

The pioneering galleries at the Artwalk have significantly allowed it to remain "true to its vision and integrity," says Bebet Nograles of the Heritage Art Center and Old Manila. Rey Paz contreras of Contreras Sculptures adds that "there was initially this fear of commercializing art. But the pioneering galleries were owned by serious artists and there was a conscious decision to maintain the integrity of art."

For Araceli "Chichi" Salas of Gallery Genesis, "Walking down the Artwalk gives you an idea of how creative our artists are. We’ve been here for 10 years and I believe that the Artwalk has established itself as the first place people go to when they want to buy a good piece of art." Among her gallery’s exhibits, its annual watercolor show Kulay sa Tubig is credited for uplifting watercolor as a medium of art.

Rafael G. Pacheco says the concept works because "viewing art should make a person happy. But how can he do so when galleries are not accessible? But SM Megamall is at the heart of the city, and many people come here not only to shop, eat, but now also to view art."

For Unang Panahon’s Liza Rama-Esposo, the positive response to her antique shop in the mall has allowed her to "concentrate on research and the acquisition of pieces with great historical value to the Philippines."

The Artwalk’s newer galleries also share this gallery-in-a-mall vision to bring art closer to the people. These include Nemiranda, which regularly showcases the talents of artists from Rizal; the Crucible, which also publishes books on Philippine art, limited edition prints and museum retail products; the Metropolitan Art Gallery, with its prestigious modern and contemporary art works; and Gallery Frames, which greatly complements its neighboring galleries.

Other new galleries – like The Big and Small Art Co., Gallery 139, Gallery Nine and Galerie Y – showcase the works of well-known and upcoming artists. The SM Artwalk is located at the fourth level of SM Megamall, Mega A.