Galerie Stephanie presents ‘Bedtime Stories’ at The Podium

MANILA, Philippines - Bedtime stories are the take-off point for a new exhibition which opens on March 9 at the Atrium of The Podium. Titled “Bedtime Stories,” the exhibition features Carlo Ongchangco, Francis Nacion, Roel Oemio, and Migs Villanueva.

Each artist contributes his or her own unique take on childhood bedtime stories and their impact on our lives. Migs Villanueva dreams up images that touch on notions of nostalgia and memory. Her distinctive experience as both a Palanca Award-winning writer and acclaimed visual artist gives her the ability to acutely capture the naiveté of youth. Roel Obemio focuses on Philippine mythologies and imagery, through the prism of his adherence to Fernando Botero’s style of volume figurations within the imaginative and fanciful interludes — using your typical Filipino as a witness to legends such as Ibong Adarna and Malakas at Maganda, his “Journey of Juan.” Francis Nacion approach to bedtime stories is a reading into folk spirituality and the myths and legends of the countryside. His canvases are full of interesting characters: fairies and spirits, animal transformations, heroes and ordinary rural folk caught up in world of magic and mystery. Nacion uses his own personal experience as a foundation of a larger telling of folk traditions. Carlo Ongchangco’s canvases illustrate specific stories and fairy tales — such as The Little Prince, and Daddy Long Legs — and his practice uses a fanciful take on figuration to bring these characters to life. But it is the surreal aspect of his art is the perhaps the defining quality of his practice, simultaneously showing us scenes from beloved classics while taking us on a journey into the artist’s own imagination.

Organized by Galerie Stephanie, in cooperation with Galerie Francesca, the show opens on March 9 at the Atrium of Podium Mall, ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. Galerie Stephanie is located at Unit 1B Parc Plaza Building, 183 E. Rodriguez Jr Ave, Libis, Quezon City. For information, call 709-1488 or visit www.galeriestephanie.com.