Julian Ongpin opens gallery for young artists

Ongpin heir apparent opened the Julian Ongpin Young Artists (JOYA) gallery at Alphaland Makati Place, with celebrities such as Heart Evangelista gracing the launch.

The brainchild of Roberto Ongpin’s younger son Julian, the gallery will provide a venue for showcasing the works of emerging international and local artists.

Noting that one function of art is to act as a “beacon and mirror to the subconscious,” Julian decided to feature Australian artist Henry Curchod and Filipino commercial photographer Artu Nepomuceno for the debut show titled Frontiers.

Just like his older brother Stephen, who is renowned as an authority when it comes to Old Master Drawings and has his own gallery in London named the Stephen Ongpin Fine Arts, Julian has art running in his veins, being the descendant of great Filipino painter Damian Domingo. His grandfather Alfonso Ongpin was a famous collector of the works of Luna, Hidalgo, Amorsolo and other noted Filipino painters, with some of the collections now at the Lopez Museum.

Julian’s aunts are also involved in the world of art. Deanna Ongpin-Recto was the vice president and art director of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Philippine representative to UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee, while Maribel Ongpin and daughter Lisa Periquet are both supporters of the art scene and very much involved in such programs as Art in the Park and Art Fair Philippines. Maribel also used to be the president of the Museum Foundation of the Philippines. Some of his cousins are also recognized Filipino artists.

Julian says that while it may not be immediately evident, the blood and passion of artists flows in his veins. Like those who have come before him, Julian hopes to “shine a light that is both refined and sincere” and through the contemporary gallery and the works of the featured artists, may be able to “share something great with the world.” Photos by Ramon Joseph J. Ruiz