Gongs. Smoke. Blood. Earth.: An Exploration of Baguio Art Comes to the Ateneo Art Gallery This April 6

The exhibition Gongs. Smoke. Blood. Earth. explores the history and cultural contexts of Baguio art dating back to the founding of the Baguio Arts Guild in 1986, up to the current zeitgeist with artists who have emerged or have been influenced by the guild. The show opens at the Ateneo Art Gallery this 6 April 2025, Sunday, and will feature new and existing works that underscore the concept of “indio-genius,” highlighting the resilience of Filipino people, particularly its indigenous communities.

Gongs. Smoke. Blood. Earth. serves as an extension of Tiw-tiwong: an Uncyclopedia to Life, Living, and Art, in Baguio, the Cordilleras and Beyond. Published by Baguio Kunst Publishing, the book explores the relationship between indigenous communities and the artist — whether schooled or unschooled.

A highlight in this exhibition of Baguio art is a recreation of Santiago Bose’s Bamboo Radar, and a re-enactment of Roberto Villanueva’s last installation Earth Song. The show features other founding members of the guild such as National Artist Benedicto "BenCab" Cabrera, National Artist Kidlat Tahimik, Tommy Hafalla, Rene Aquitaña, Willy Magtibay and Perry Mamaril alongside Katrin de Guia, Carlo Villafuerte, John Frank Sabado, Rocky Cajigan, Nona Garcia, Leonard Aguinaldo, Dehon Taguyungon, Gail Vicente, Randy Gawwi, Kawayan de Guia, Abbie SJ Lara, Bong Sanchez, Irene Bimuyag, and Rogelio Guinannoy.

The Ateneo Art Gallery (AAG) will also organize public programs in line with Gongs. Smoke. Blood. Earth. Future events include a lineup of an ArtSpeak round table discussion with artists; film screenings by Kidlat Tahimik, Egay Navarro and Rica Concepcion, Kidlat de Guia, Abbie SJ Lara, Mervine Aquino, Ruben Domingo, and Angel Velasco Shaw; and a mosaic workshop by Kabunyan de Guia, Olie Olivete and Guiler Lagac of The Mighty Bhutens. Further details on the public programs will be announced through AAG’s platforms. Gongs. Smoke. Blood. Earth. is presented in collaboration with the Victor Oteyza Community Art Space (VOCAS) Foundation and Baguio Kunst Book Publishing, and will run until 20 July 2025, at the third floor (3F) galleries of the Ateneo Art Gallery. Guests who will be visiting the show throughout its run are highly encouraged to contribute handkerchiefs for Robert Villanueva’s piece which will be recreated by Gail Vicente for this exhibition. For further inquiries, contact Ateneo Art Gallery at aag@ateneo.edu or call (02) 8426 6488.