Assemblages representing Philippine folklore, art techniques, medicine practices, animals, and the like grace the National Commission for Culture and the Arts Gallery at Isabelo’s Ghosts Exhibit Opening on November 7, 2024.

Heavily inspired by writer, nationalist, archivist, and the ‘Father of Philippine Folklore’, Isabelo de los Reyes, the artists behind the exhibit aims to continue his initiative of preserving the country’s history through archiving.

The exhibit is segmented into three parts representing the three artists and exhibitors spearheading the program. Adorning the walls of the gallery are what seems to be small cabinets filled with even smaller drawings of Philippine avian wildlife and folklore entitled ‘Before they lost’ by Jericho Moral. According to the exhibitor, the pencil drawings and the choice of displaying them in small windows symbolize the fragility of the Philippines’ history and how easy it is to be erased.

Next are prints by Hannah Nantes who utilized traditional printing tools used by older generations of artists in her display entitled ‘A simple belief’ and ‘Permutations’. Nantes explained that printing fascinated her as despite using the same tool and pattern, no print is the same regardless of how hard their attempt is to replicate them.

Lastly, trinkets are displayed in wooden boxes in Chad Montero’s ‘Silip’, ‘Tipon’, ‘Lihim’, ‘Tuklas’, and ‘Mensahe’. Taking inspiration from de los Reyes, his family and daily life, Montero curates and assembles items that symbolize a larger story such as traditional medicine, Philippine botany, and the like. Montero utilized a plethora of art mediums, even using cement and real insects on some displays.

Isabelo’s Ghosts is set to run from November 7 to November 30, 2024 at the NCCA Gallery from 9:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public.

For details on this press release, contact Mr. Rene S. Napeñas, Head, Public Affairs and Information Office, through pais@ncca.gov.ph or 0945 788 5698. Visit www.ncca.gov.ph and the Facebook page @NCCAOfficial.