ILOILO CITY – The Iloilo Critics Circle recently released the maiden issue of Iloilo Art Review, an art journal independently published by the writer-critics and Kasingkasing Press.
THE Iloilo Critics Circle with the maiden issue of the art journal Iloilo Art Review. (Photo courtesy of Noel de Leon)
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With Iloilo’s burgeoning art community, the Iloilo Art Review aims to “occupy the space allocated by the ecosystem for art criticism and contribute to the dynamic interaction of the various elements for a vibrant art sector.”
The Iloilo Critics Circle, composed of writers from the academe and social media, wants “to stimulate critical thinking among stakeholders and spark public discourse around art.”
Critics John E. Barrios, Ted Aldwin E. Ong, Noel Galon de Leon, Allyn Canja, Theodore Ricardo R. Bautista, John Anthony Estolloso, and Eric Abalajon also seek to “sustain the initiative under the conditions of inclusivity and diversity.“
The cover of the maiden issue features the collaborative artwork “Alukaba” (Shell) by the Ogtonganon Visual Arts League (OVAL). This piece was among the works featured in the November 2022 debut exhibition for Puluy-an, the art gallery owned by award-winning Ilonggo artist Melvin Guirhem in Oton town, Iloilo province.
The journal features articles on solo and group exhibitions, art spaces, and an interview with Guirhem, the grand prize winner of the prestigious Philippine Art Awards in 2020.
The publication of the Iloilo Art Review is supported by the private sector here and Negros Occidental.
Supporters include SM City Iloilo, MORE Electric and Power Corp. (MORE Power), art galleries Mamusa, Orange Project and Puluy-an, the Secret Art Shop, Savage Mind bookstore, and ERK Film Production.
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THE Iloilo Critics Circle with the maiden issue of the art journal Iloilo Art Review. (Photo courtesy of Noel de Leon)