In celebration of Museums and Galleries Month, the Philippine Embassy in Singapore highlighted the works of two acclaimed Filipino artists, Pacita Abad and Leslie de Chavez, at major art galleries in the city-state
In honour of Museums and Galleries Month, the Philippine Embassy in Singapore celebrated the creative excellence of two distinguished Filipino artists, Pacita Abad and Leslie de Chavez, through exhibitions held at two of Singapore’s most prominent art spaces.
Image by Philippine Embassy in Singapore
The Embassy visited STPI – Creative Workshop & Gallery to view Pacita Abad: Common Ground, which ran from 25 October to 13 December. Pacita Abad, one of the Philippines’ most celebrated artists, was best known in Singapore for her colourful masterpiece—the painted Alkaff Bridge at Robertson Quay—which remains a vibrant symbol of friendship between the Philippines and Singapore. The exhibition featured works from her 2003 residency at STPI, including her signature trapunto paintings that blend painting, stitching, and textile art into richly textured canvases.
Image by Philippine Embassy in Singapore
On 25 October, the Embassy also attended the launch of Leslie de Chavez: A Kiss on the Ground (Halik sa Lupa) at Gajah Gallery, which runs until 30 November 2025. De Chavez, an acclaimed contemporary artist from Manila, explored themes of colonial legacy, religion, and identity in his works—inviting reflection on how history continues to influence Filipino consciousness. During the exclusive preview, Ambassador Marichu Mauro Macaraig met National Artist for Visual Arts Benedict “BenCab” Cabrera, who attended as an invited guest of Gajah Gallery.
These two parallel exhibitions demonstrated the depth and diversity of Filipino artistic voices—from Abad’s radiant celebration of community to de Chavez’s critical engagement with culture and history. Together, they embodied the Embassy’s Art Trek vision of fostering artistic collaboration between the Philippines and Singapore, and promoting Philippine contemporary art on the global stage. The Embassy reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Filipino artists and invited the Filipino community, art enthusiasts, and the public to experience these remarkable exhibitions.
Source: Philippine Embassy in Singapore
