JULY 16 - 30, 2022
G/F Corinthian Plaza, 121 Paseo de Roxas, Legazpi Village, Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines
EXHIBITION NOTES Redefinition
Anna Bautista’s 6th Solo Exhibition
"Gone are the days when a woman was limited by social norms to be responsible for the household, making it difficult to earn a position in the workplace.
Today, she takes charge of her own life.”
-Filipina Forward Report, Wunderman Thompson 2021
For most of Philippine history, the ideal Filipina had to live up to certain expectations not set by herself. As depicted in textbooks and social norms, she was meek, she was mild, and her worth was mostly tied to her housework.
In the centuries-long aftermath of this, we find Redefinition , which explores, celebrates, and challenges what it means to be a Modern Filipina. Using The Philippine Terno as a visual device, it is a challenge to the standards set by Maria Clara—by Filipinas themselves, through the lens of Filipina artist Anna Bautista.
Emblematic of the history of the Maria Clara, The Philippine Terno has long stood for tradition. These were what a woman was to wear, but more than that, what a woman had to be. It is a living time capsule of the culture, art, fashion, government systems, politics, and norms that thrived in old Philippine society.
Bautista, however, believes that the Philippine Terno has evolved alongside Filipinas—partly in how it looks, but mainly in what it stands for:
"The ever-evolving terno serves as a reminder of the filipinos' resilience and adaptability in the face of inevitable change and evolution.
The Terno is not a mere costume, but an intersection of history, fashion, religion and most significantly the ever-evolving journey of the Filipina.”
-Fashionable Filipinas Book, Gino Gonzales and Mark Lewis Higgins 2015
In Redefinition , Philippine Ternos are depicted as having embroidered symbols of the strength and resilience of Modern Filipina society. Each is worn with pride and valor, determination and ferocity, and freedom—both literally and figuratively.
Every day, in modern Filipino society, a Filipina can take charge of her own life. In Redefinition , the artist believes that she also now has the courage to. The Philippine Terno is no longer an artifact of her captor, but her suit of armor.
There has been significant progress for the Filipina, but there is still a long way to go, for the Filipina continuously evolves, fearlessly challenging the status quo.
Words by Samantha Mayoralgo
A Woman 2022
acrylic on canvas
48" x 36" (122 cm x 91 cm)
A Woman in Eco-Conservation 2022
acrylic on canvas
48" x 36" (122 cm x 91 cm)
A Woman in Medicine
2021
acrylic on canvas
48" x 36" (122 cm x 91 cm)
A Woman of Culture
2022
acrylic on canvas
48" x 36" (122 cm x 91 cm)
A Woman of Faith
2022
acrylic on canvas
48" x 36" (122 cm x 91 cm)
A Woman of Justice
2022
acrylic on canvas
48" x 36" (122 cm x 91 cm)
Conversations between Science and Faith
Suit of Armor
Culture (Study)
2021
acrylic on canvas
20" x 20" (51 cm x 51 cm)
framed: 26.8" x 26.8" (68 cm x 68 cm)
Eco-Conservation (Study)
2022
acrylic on canvas
20" x 20" (51 cm x 51 cm)
framed: 26.8" x 26.8" (68 cm x 68 cm)
Faith (Study)
2021
acrylic on canvas
20" x 20" (51 cm x 51 cm)
framed: 26.8" x 26.8" (68 cm x 68 cm)
Feminism (Study)
2021
acrylic on canvas
20" x 20" (51 cm x 51 cm)
framed: 26.8" x 26.8" (68 cm x 68 cm)
Justice (Study)
2022
acrylic on canvas
20" x 20" (51 cm x 51 cm)
framed: 26.8" x 26.8" (68 cm x 68 cm)
Medicine (Study)
2021
acrylic on canvas
20" x 20" (51 cm x 51 cm)
framed: 26.8" x 26.8" (68 cm x 68 cm)
Pencil Study #1
2021
colored pencil on hot pressed paper
10" x 7" (25 cm x 18 cm)
framed: 17" x 13.5" (43 cm x 34 cm)
Pencil Study #2
2022
colored pencil on hot pressed paper
10" x 7" (25 cm x 18 cm)
framed: 17" x 13.5" (43 cm x 34 cm)
Pencil Study #3
2021
colored pencil on hot pressed paper
10" x 7" (25 cm x 18 cm)
framed: 17" x 13.5" (43 cm x 34 cm)
Pencil Study #4
2021
colored pencil on hot pressed paper
10" x 7" (25 cm x 18 cm)
framed: 17" x 13.5" (43 cm x 34 cm)
Pencil Study #5
2021
colored pencil on hot pressed paper
10" x 7" (25 cm x 18 cm)
framed: 17" x 13.5" (43 cm x 34 cm)
Pencil Study #6
2021
colored pencil on hot pressed paper
10" x 7" (25 cm x 18 cm)
framed: 17" x 13.5" (43 cm x 34 cm)
Sleeves Built For Flight
2022
colored pencil on hot pressed paper
15" x 11" (38 cm x 28 cm)
framed: 17" x 13" (43 cm x 33 cm)
G/F Corinthian Plaza, 121 Paseo de Roxas, Legazpi Village, Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines