Jeffrey Dimalanta continues his family’s legacy by honoring artist friends and patrons with a second art auction on September 28.
Gallery 928 is no David in the art auction market dominated by two Goliaths, namely the Leon Art Gallery and Salcedo Auctions. Owner Jeffrey Dimalanta stands on solid foundation and traces his deep art connection through his father, Sonny Dimalanta, whose Artwalk Gallery in Belair, Makati City was once a popular hangout among established artists and serious art collectors in the 1980s through the 90s.
The 44-year-old Dimalanta recalled, “I began actively assisting my dad when he opened his gallery, Artwalk, in Bel Air.” His job was to type and print artist biographies that would then be attached at the back of the frame of the artist’s work.
Dimalanta also learned how to put together the gallery’s catalogue system and dutifully did chores such as distributing flyers in church, delivering artworks to clients, managing communications, delivering and picking up the works from artists and framers, among others.
The dailiness of his gallery work further developed his love for the arts and he personally got to know many of the artists who dealt with his father. Dimalanta’s Gallery 928, which he opened in 2018 at Shangri-La Plaza in Mandaluyong, is a reference to September 28, his anniversary date with girlfriend and now wife Anne May. Today, the art gallery continues to enjoy its successful run of art shows and the occasional art classes.
Dimalanta’s resolve to turn his gallery into an art auction house comes at the right time—amidst a recovering economy where the GDP has expanded by 6.3 percent in the second quarter of 2024. Post-pandemic luxury spending and flaunting is normal again—including purchasing art works from premium auction houses.
The art scene itself has regained its footing and is thriving with art fairs and the lively participation of the Philippines in international gatherings such as the Venice Biennale and the Gwangju Biennale both held this year.
Thus, in June, G928 Auctions—Gallery 928’s art auction unit—gave the curious public a taste of Dimalanta’s vision through the debut auction, “Timeless Treasures,” at Fairmont Makati with 67 lots of various styles by National Artists and other established names in Philippine art.
Moved by the success of his initial foray, Dimalanta’s G928 Auctions is back with a second event, “Echoes of Rarity,” on September 28, Saturday, which is also in celebration of the gallery’s sixth year.
Rare works by the masters
True to its title, the public sale will be offering 70 lots featuring the rare works of National Artists like Cesar Legaspi whose “Igorot Dance,” rendered in 1976 using oil on wood, will have a starting bidding price of P12.5 million to P13.5 million . The delightful undated sketches of cats on ink on paper by Vicente Manansala has a starting offer of P200,000 to P220,000. One of Federico Alcuaz’s renowned landscape paintings in oil on canvas starts between P800,000 to P850,000.
Meant to impress and inspire, G928 Auctions will likewise present the works of major figures in Philippine modern art such as a nude sketch by Romulo Galicano, Charlie Co, Araceli Dans, Malang, Onib Olmedo, Ramon Orlina, Lao Lianbien, Manuel Baldemor, Juvenal Sanso, and Fernando Zobel, to name a few. A coveted Norma Belleza work starts between P2 million and P2.2 million.
International auction darling Ronald Ventura joins the eminent gathering with an untitled oil on canvas work (2000). Bidding for Ventura’s work starts between P3.9 million and P4.1 million. “Autumn Nocturne” by surrealist painter Andres Barrioquinto, whose works have been featured at the Singapore Art Museum, has a higher starting bid of P7.2 million to P7.7 million.
All artworks are accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.
“I think it’s about time I honor my friends, collectors, and consignors alike by creating something truly special. My vision is to bring excitement to many friends in the art community while fostering deeper connections among everyone involved,” said Dimalanta.
After pulling off the maiden auction and much expectation in the second one, Dimalanta finds his entry into the art auction block as gratifying especially since the appreciation and connection he had envisioned amongst artists, buyers, and the general public was felt.
On what it takes to be a good art auctioneer, he observed: “Authenticity is paramount. Also, it takes not just passion and desire, but also guts to stand before a crowd and engage potential buyers.”
He added, “I was born into this business — it’s in my blood, a legacy passed down from my dad, who instilled in me the value of genuine connections and the importance of storytelling in art.”
“Establishing credibility in the art industry is essential, as not everyone with financial means can open an auction house. It requires a deep understanding of the art world, a keen eye for quality, and the ability to foster relationships with artists, collectors, and clients alike.”
“Echoes of Rarity: An Exceptional Art Auction” will have a preview on September 21 to 27 through https://gallery928.com/ . The live auction will be held on September 28, 2 p.m. at the ground floor of SJW Building, Paseo de Magallanes, Osmeña Highway, Makati. For more details, 0917-6348-305; +63 975 694 7831; or e-mail galleryninetwoeight@gmail.com
