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VIENNA, Austria — Forty-five visual artists from across Europe and the Asia-Pacific recently gathered at the United Nations Office in Vienna and at the City Gallery Vienna for “Pagtitipon,” a landmark contemporary art exhibition highlighting global diversity and world-class Filipino talent.
Co-organized by the Manila-based Bastedor Art Studio and the Vienna-based non-profit art collective sige!, the cultural platform brought together creators from varied backgrounds to showcase conceptual, modern, and traditional works on an international stage.
A Reunion of Mentorship and Art
Among the highlights of the exhibition was the reunion of artist Raquel Eugenio and her former mentor, Jensen Moreno. Eleven years after they first met when Eugenio was a graduating multimedia arts student, the two reunited not as collaborators, but as exhibiting artists.
Eugenio, now based in Tyrol near the Austrian Alps, marked her first international exhibition in a decade with a striking photograph capturing a sunset over the Tyrolean mountains.
“I wasn’t really prepared. I took a leap of faith,” Eugenio shared, describing the experience as a personal milestone that required stepping out of her comfort zone.
Redefining Philippine Art Abroad
Norlie Meimban, founder of Bastedor Art Studio and an art ambassador for the International Cultural Diversity Organization (ICDO), noted that the showcase aimed to challenge European perceptions of Philippine art.
“Viewers were surprised because they expected traditional and indigenous art,” Meimban explained. “They were surprised to see Philippine art evolving, not only traditional paintings but also conceptual and modern art.”
Co-organizer Harold Khan emphasized that the exhibition’s “Global Colors” theme serves to celebrate individual visual identities while uniting different cultures through creativity. The roster of international artists also included participants like Ukrainian artist Kateryna Parakhina, whose coastal summer painting bridged nations through shared artistic appreciation.
Meanwhile, Maguindanaon artist Bai Sheika Chinnich Candao wove her heritage into her work, blending indigenous textile designs with wave-like patterns to honor her roots from Lake Sebu.
Art with a Purpose
Beyond cultural diplomacy, “Pagtitipon” carried a charitable mission. Organizers announced that a portion of the proceeds from artwork sales will be donated to provide meals for street children in Manila during the holiday season.
Following the success of the Vienna showcase, the organizers look ahead to a busy schedule. The group is set to exhibit at the Art Capital fair at the Grand Palais in Paris in February 2027, with subsequent editions of “Pagtitipon” slated for March and September 2027.
- Hector Pascua/pictures: Gerry de Guzman ((2) Facebook)
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