In ‘Hugis’ exhibit, artists Veronica Ibarreta and 270501 transform indigenous materials through unconventional processes into art that is meditative.
Lived experiences and the art of becoming are the crux of The Art House’s upcoming contemporary art exhibit, Hugis: When Memories Take Shape, featuring the works of creative voices of artists Veronica Ibarreta and 02750. The show puts the focus on indigenous materials transformed through unconventional processes, weaving themselves into the fabric of Filipino identity.
“Their combined creative outputs result into a tangible mediation and meditation on creativity that is both generative and restorative,” says Marika Constantino, who curates the exhibit. The exhibit opens on September 5 and runs until the 21st at the Artistspace, Ayala Museum.
Hugis brings together two contrasting artistic voices, creating a dynamic dialogue between abstraction and intimacy, destruction and beauty, motion and stillness.
For 270501, his creative process is best described as “controlled chaos,” where his pieces are regarded as artifacts and mementos that represent an exchange between artist and raw material. He adds that by “transforming various objects of rich industrial history, the entropy takes over, setting a spiritual gesture of art in motion.” Volcanic ash, in massive textured paintings, and abaca, in installations, will be featured prominently in the artist’s showing for this collection.
“To understand the history and use of abaca is to understand the history of the Philippines and its colonial past,” 270501 explains. Each strand of the material carries stories of exploitation and resilience, of indigenous knowledge commodified and communities displaced. But in the artist’s hands, abaca becomes something else entirely: a medium for reclamation.
The works don’t simply reference the past; they actively dialogue with it. Through what 270501 calls an “automatist approach,” the artist allows the material itself to guide the creative process, as if the fiber remembers its own history and wants to tell it differently. It’s a radical act of material agency—letting the colonized plant speak back to its colonizers.
Veronica Ibarreta, who is known for her pointillism technique and floral series, creates a rich canvas of meticulously painted dots as a result of contemplation and meditation. In Hugis she furthers her exploration of new technique and range, while remaining anchored on themes like societal issues and cultural heritage.
She ponders, “Sa milyong tuldok sa oil, hinahabi ko ang mga mundong ang tiyaga ay nagiging ganda at ang oras ay magiging magandang kulay.” In her recent exhibition, Vestido, she featured a detailed approach to pointillism embodying the theme of social relevance.
“My works delve into themes of identity, nationalism, individuality, and female empowerment. As someone who balances my time between Manila and my hometown, I try to draw inspiration from these two divergent environments. These enable meaningful conversations between and within Rinconada, Bicol, and the broader Philippine art community. My creative process is highly contemplative. These reflections allow me to resonate with societal issues and cultural heritage.”
Hugis: When Memories Take Shape is presented by Art House, a creative, multi-channel platform, dedicated to promoting Philippine creativity, artistry, and identity through a contemporary lens.
Art House Founder and CEO Juan Carlos M. Pineda says, “At Art House, our goal is to empower artists like 0270501 and Veronica Ibarreta. Shows like Hugis allow us to continuously challenge our roster of artists to further their commitment to exploring materiality—and in the process, shape their identities as Filipino artists.”
Hugis: When Memories Take Shape runs from September 5 to 21 at the Artistspace, Ayala Museum, Makati. This two-man show is presented by Art House.
