Beyond Tradition Exhibits Chinese-Filipino Artists In Time for the Chinese Lunar New Year

In time for the Chinese Lunar New Year, Gateway Gallery presents an exhibition from its art collection of artworks created by Chinese-Filipino artists. “Beyond Tradition: Evolving Chinese-Filipino Artists” focuses on the traditional Chinese art and how it evolved in form and philosophy in modern and contemporary times. 

Beyond Tradition, which opened on February 12 and will run until March 14, 2026, features 8 Chinese-Filipino artists and 2 Filipino artists. The collection is complemented by three works from guest artist and scholar Arnulfo Esguerra. The exhibition is headlined by senior Chinese art master Lupicinio “Peter” Ng, who currently serves as Head of the Ateneo Confucius Institute.

Beyond Tradition, curated by Museum Curator Gari R. Apolonio, mines the growing art collection of the Gateway Gallery to gather the works of Chinese-Filipino artists into a thematic exhibit. Their contribution to the collection is important because it adds texture and layers to the collection. The exhibition is also an interesting study of the Chinese element in Philippine Art. In this exhibition, Apolonio let the artists speak about how their Chinese ethnicity influenced their art and their main concerns in art-making.

To amplify the exhibit, Gateway Gallery will mount a talk on Chinese Art on February 21, at 3 p.m., and a Chinese art workshop on February 28, at 3 to 5 p.m. The talk and workshop will be delivered and facilitated by Prof. Arnulfo Esguerra. The talk and workshop are free to the public.

Esguerra, who holds an MA in Archaeology, is a faculty member of UP Manila’s Department of Social Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences. An artist himself, he has conducted several painting workshops in various museums and art spaces. He paints using the two main styles of Chinese painting: “Gongbi” (meticulous style) and “Xieye” (spontaneous).

The participating artists in the exhibit include Peter Ng, Chito Sy Santiago, Iris Babao-Uy, Lea Zoraina Sindao Lim, Sharleen Cu, Joemarie Sanclara Chua, Sarah Liuson Ongsun, Irene Sy, Grace Dadufalza, and Lita Wells. They are joined by guest artist Arnulfo Esguerra.