The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre is set to become a vibrant hub of Filipino contemporary art this February, showcasing two compelling solo exhibitions by distinguished artists Loida “Baloi” Bernardo and Marius “Marius Black” Funtilar. Organized by Gail Hills of Galleria Camaya and curated by Hong Kong-based artist Rodolfo Canete Jr., these exhibitions offer a rich exploration of emotion, memory, and social narrative through distinct artistic lenses.
Loida “Baloi” Bernardo: Painting Emotion Through Abstract Landscapes
Loida “Baloi” Bernardo’s exhibition invites viewers to experience landscapes not as mere physical places but as emotional states. Her abstract works, rendered primarily in acrylic and mixed media, transcend traditional landscape painting by focusing on the sensations evoked by nature—the warmth of golden hour, the hush of moonlight, the relief after rain. Bernardo’s canvases are vibrant choreographies of color and texture, where warm and cool tones harmonize to evoke moods and memories rather than literal scenes.
Her paintings, with titles like Golden Hour, Bright Night, and Above the Clouds, serve as emotional invitations rather than geographic markers. The scale of her works ranges from intimate squares to immersive large canvases, each crafted to engage the viewer in a personal dialogue with color and feeling. Bernardo’s approach reflects a contemporary shift in landscape art, emphasizing inner experience over photographic realism.
The exhibition, running from February 4 to 9, 2026, at the Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre, promises to offer local art aficionados and the Filipino community in Hong Kong a chance to connect deeply with the poetic and meditative qualities of her work.
Marius “Marius Black” Funtilar: Mythologizing Manila’s Invisible Lives
In contrast, Marius Black’s solo show, titled Color of Life, presents a striking fusion of traditional Japanese ukiyo-e aesthetics with the gritty realities of urban Manila. His signature Manila Ukiyo-e series reimagines the Edo-period “floating world” through the lens of contemporary Filipino life, featuring everyday subjects like tricycle drivers and sari-sari stores with bold lines and flat patterns.
Funtilar’s art is a narrative project that humanizes the marginalized and overlooked, turning the streets of Manila into a stage for stories of resilience and humanity. His work extends beyond the visual, aiming to evoke a multi-sensory experience that invites viewers to engage emotionally and interpretively with the city’s complex social fabric.
Drawing inspiration from the historical practice of hand-colored photography, Funtilar’s exhibition reinterprets this nostalgic technique to offer a fresh perspective on his subjects, blending past and present in a visually compelling dialogue.
The opening ceremony for both exhibitions will be held on February 4, 2026, from 6 pm to 9 pm at the Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre, with the exhibitions running through February 9. This dual showcase not only highlights the diversity and depth of Filipino contemporary art but also fosters cultural exchange and appreciation within Hong Kong’s vibrant art scene.
For art lovers and cultural enthusiasts, these exhibitions offer a rare opportunity to immerse in the emotional landscapes and social narratives that define modern Filipino artistry, brought to life through the visionary works of Loida Bernardo and Marius Black.
Opening Ceremony:
February 4, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Exhibition Dates:
February 5–8, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
February 9, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Venue:
Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre,
5/F Exhibition Hall, 7A Kennedy Road, Central, Hong Kong
