Filipina creativity and textile art take center stage at Conrad Manila
Formally opening the “Her Hands: A Loom of Stories” exhibit
Ongoing at Gallery C at the Conrad Manila until Nov. 15, 2025, is an exhibit featuring seven women artists who have incorporated textiles and fabrics into their works of art. Titled “Her Hands: A Loom of Stories,” it showcases the selected works of Kristine de Jesus, Anita del Rosario, Jane Ebarle, Mia Go, Katrina Raimann, Anina Rubio, and Maria Salvador. Curated by Nes Jardin and Space Alt Contemporary, the exhibit is a wonderful demonstration of the possibilities of working with textiles and fabrics, with each artist bringing a unique aesthetic and creating distinctly individual bodies of work.
At the exhibit launch, short messages were delivered by Mia Villanueva, president of Habi: The Philippine Textile Council, and Kaye Tinga, president of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Elizabeth “Betty” Sy, president and chairperson of SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation, was also present to support the artistic endeavor, and there was even a surprise visit from her brother, Hans Sy. Hans was in the middle of watching a volleyball match at the SM Arena, but first made it a point to drop by and give his sister a boost of brotherly love.
Artworks by Jane Ebarle and Mia Go
For the seven artists, this was a valuable opportunity to have their works seen by fresh eyes and appreciated in a new public space. I had the chance to speak with Maria Salvador, who admitted she was a bit nervous—caught up in the excitement of the event and touched by how many people were complimenting her rope art pieces.