The Scream of the Butterfly

Andres Barrioquinto is one of my favorite artists.  I am still waiting for the day that I will be able to have one of his beautiful works adorn one of the walls of my house. In the meantime, I attend most of his exhibits just to see his uniquely amazing works.

I recently attended his much-anticipated show at Galerie Sogan & Art in Singapore. It has been a while since his last exhibition in Singapore and his collectors in the region have been waiting for this. The artist said most people there were much more familiar with his Japanese series so he decided to put a different twist on his pieces. Some works were inverted. He also employed layering using shaped canvases that he placed on top of one another to include a 3D element. He also added pieces of sculpture in this show.

His show was called The Scream of the Butterfly, which showcased a collective of portraits overlaid with colorful patterns such as flowers, butterflies and Japanese print motifs. His latest works were from a very personal approach. Andres said, “I got my inspiration from my marriage, because, as you know, married couples sometimes do fight. Butterflies are known for being delicate and graceful, and so I feel that a fight between two lovers is akin to the scream of the butterfly, if ever there is one.”

The artist added, “I know I’m more known as someone who makes portraits, and critics would criticize me about it.  But when I veer away from that, people look for it. Audience approval is subjective.” 

Well, I am not an art critic but I definitely have loved his works and also found his new works equally stunning.  I guess I was not alone with such opinion as several Filipinos flew in from Manila to view the new works of Andres. Even Barrioquinto collectors from Indonesia and Malaysia flew in for this exhibit.   

The artist also presented two black-and-white portraits done on paper. His huge canvases were portrayed in either partial black and white with splashes of color or in full, vibrant colors. 

I personally like every single piece of his work in this exhibit…I am a true fan! His works always capture my heart and mind. 

Check out these photos and see if, like me, you wouldn’t want one of his works hanging in your home.

(Galerie Sogan & Art is located at 16 Mohamed Sultan Road, Singapore. For more information, call +65 6440 4886 or visit www.soganart.com.)

Certain photos by Pepper Teehankee on a Canon PowerShot S100 Breaking & Reconstructing the Circle

Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom Enrique Manalo will be the guest of honor at an evening event and talk to celebrate Contemporary Art for Southeast Asia: Breaking and Reconstructing the Circle, the latest exhibition in London by Singapore gallery One East Asia. The event will be on Nov. 8, 7 p.m. at Gallery 8, Duke Street, in the heart of the premier art district of St. James’s in London.

One East Asia is mounting the show as a participant in the prestigious Asian Art in London 2014, an annual celebration of exceptional Asian fine art and antiquities from around the world. This is the third consecutive year that One East Asia has participated in the event and the fifth show that the company has mounted in London since 2011. The exhibition runs from Oct. 30 to Nov. 8.

The gallery will present works by four of the most celebrated Philippine artists today: Andres Barrioquinto, Renato Orara, Mark Lewis Higgins and Mark Valenzuela. Singaporean Jane Lee and young Thai painter Anchalee Arayapongpanit will also be showcased in the event.

Guest curator Loredana Pazzini-Paracciani will also exhibit a capsule collection of photography and video installations by four artists from Southeast Asia: Anida Yeou Ali of Cambodia, John Clang of Singapore, Prapat Jiwarangsan of Thailand and Sherman Ong of Malaysia. The theme explored is the painful state of diaspora that these artists have experienced through significant periods of their lives overseas.

(For more information, visit www.oneeastasia.org.)

Around 200 guests, all of them friends, industry colleagues and supporters of the 1771 Group of Restaurants, raised their glasses recently to president and CEO Ricky Gutierrez and executive chef Vicky Pacheco for Sentro 1771’s latest location at the Capitol Commons, Meralco Avenue corner Shaw Boulevard, Kapitolyo, Pasig City. 

The style of the restaurant is reminiscent of the Commonwealth period. It has been drawing crowds since its opening. Sentro 1771 provides a modern dining ambience and creative Filipino cuisine. Diners indulged in pinakbet antipasto, lechon kawali pancakes, arroz a la valenciana matched with Pinoy sangria, sparkling wine and Kir Royal.

Seen enjoying the evening were Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad, Jun Sy, Hanes Philippines managing director Gerry Alejandro, architect Michael Olivares and wife Xandra, Nandy Pacheco, Aristocrat’s Priscilla Reyes, Busco Sugar vice president Jeanne Sy-Kreps, Pepiton and Mina Garcia, Grace Glory Go, Joel Lopa, All Youth Channels CEO Francis Lumen, Nissan Car Lease Philippines president Louie Banson, USSC Finance Corp.’s Gerry Garcia, DBP chairman Pepo Nuñez and Danny and Lorraine Feliciano.

(For inquiries, call Sentro Capitol Commons at 941-8277. Visit sentro1771.com or follow Sentro 1771 on Facebook,

Twitter and Instagram.)(Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)