A Thousand Years: A Vessel for Perpetual Existence
BOOTH 24, Art Fair Philippines
Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati, Philippines
Feb 21 - 23, 2025
Staying Afloat: A Reimagining of the Birth of Venus
by Mimaaaaaaaaw
For our debut at Art Fair Philippines 2025, we are excited to present “A Thousand Years: A Vessel For Perpetual Existence.” This exhibition underscores our commitment to partnering with visionaries, deepening our appreciation for contemporary art and bespoke design, and sharing this with the audience across Asia. Parallel + will spotlight artists whose groundbreaking approaches and unique artistic philosophies aspire to create works that will endure for a thousand years.
Drawing inspiration from Botticelli, each artist aspires to transcend mere physical aesthetics, delving into the realms of time, space, and the embodiment of knowledge and each practices through their creations. From the Renaissance to the Neoclassical period and into the modern era, the masterpieces of these periods have provided contemporary artists with a renewed sense of revival, enriching their perpetual artistic credo.The enduring legacy of these practices and works shapes the artists that Parallel + will present at the fair, profoundly influencing who they are today. Through their creations, these artists explore the very essence of existence, contemplating what it means to endure and remain relevant across centuries.
Participating Artists
ART
Keita Sagaki
Junichi Ito
Tomoaki Murayama
Mimaaaaaaaaw
Carlo Magno
Yoichiro Nishimura
DESIGN
Agi Pagkatipunan
Joshua Limon Palisoc
Toshio Iezumi
thehumble.ant
Shinya Tanoue
Form Series - F.250101 by Toshio Iezumi
A Long Vacation by Keita Sagaki
Keita Sagaki has been practicing the art of drawing manga. His reinterpretation of Salvador Dalí's The Persistence of Memory, created in 1931, is based on one of the most iconic Surrealist paintings, celebrated for its dreamlike atmosphere and meticulously rendered details. The artwork features a desolate coastal landscape with melting pocket watches draped over various objects, symbolizing the fluidity and impermanence of time. For Sagaki, ‘translating’ this revered piece in a Japanese way is a means of perpetually sharing the past in a contemporary world.
Medium: Pen on Classico Fabriano Mounted on Board / Dimension: 24.1 x 33 cm
One way to describe this calligraphy artwork by Japanese artist Junichi Ito is that it is imbued with heart and deep emotion. His striking gestural strokes evoke a sense of calm and Zen.
His creations stem from emotions accumulated over time and the collective prayers of many individuals. The fusion of history and life is embodied in his works through Sumi ink, birthing new vitality. “A thousand years, I hope that my works can endure for a thousand years, their significance anchored in a future world of peace and love.”
“心 - Heart”
Medium: Sumi Ink on Japanese Paper, Handmade Wooden Frame
Dimension: 40 x 40 cm
A welcoming Lucky Cat or Maneki-Neko is featured in our booth, created with Sumi ink on recycled paper. Each piece is meticulously crafted with calligraphy art by Junichi Ito.
Created specifically for Art Fair Philippines, the "Bearing Fruit of Heartbeats" artwork showcases a tropical theme that highlights Southeast Asian native plants, trees, and animals, including coconut, bitter melon, watermelon, banana, pineapple, corn, green frog, blue-tailed magpie, a bear, and a Tarsier native to the Philippines. Tomoaki emphasizes the Tarsier, an endangered species, urging us to protect this small creature, which roams our forests while we sleep. The bear, with its joyful smile, holding the pumpkin that sustains it. As a Japanese, Murayama emphasizes the significance of the pine tree adorned with cones. In Japanese culture, the pine tree is a symbol of longevity. It’s evergreen nature represents eternal youth and divine wisdom, making it a profound emblem of enduring hope and renewal.
Medium: Acrylic Ink on Canvas
Dimension: 116.7 x 80.3 cm
Each fruit and animal is meticulously illustrated on the canvas, each playing a significant role in our ecosystem. It raises the question: Can humanity become more compassionate and nurturing, safeguarding our planet so we can coexist harmoniously with other beings that share our heartbeat?
Through this remarkable piece, Tomoaki Murayama not only honors the splendor of Southeast Asia’s natural heritage but also advocates for a collective awakening—encouraging us to value and safeguard the biodiversity that sustains us, allowing it to flourish for "A Thousand Years."
"I drew attention to the vitality and power
of the plant and fruit,
depicting its beauty and strength."
“Blooming Heartbeat“
Medium: Acrylic Ink on Canvas
Dimension: 116.7 x 80.3 cm
“Tropical rainforest“
Medium: Acrylic Ink on Canvas
Dimension: 53,33 x 53.33 cm
Mimaaaaaaaaw
Staying Afloat: A Reimagining of The Birth of Venus
In this vibrant reinterpretation of The Birth of Venus, the classical goddess is replaced by the artist’s beloved feline persona, Mimaaaaaaaaw, and her whimsical companions. The serene sea of Botticelli’s masterpiece transforms into floodwaters, reflecting Bacoor City—where the artist was born and raised. Instead of gentle waves, rising waters submerge rooftops, evoking the floods that often affect the area during the rainy season.
At the heart of the composition, Mimaaaaaaaaw floats over a clam shell, symbolizing both resilience and the essence of her hometown. This shell nods to Bacoor’s rich seafood industry, known for its clams and oysters harvested from nearby Manila Bay. Despite recurring floods, the people of Bacoor remain steadfast, their spirit buoyant—much like the playful characters who stay afloat both literally and metaphorically.
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas with a Resin Finish Coating
Dimension & Year: 150 x 240 cm, 2025
For Mimaaaaaaaaw, The Birth of Venus signifies more than just a beginning—it’s a rebirth, a personal or perhaps a collective pursuit to becoming stronger and more beautiful in times of crisis. The floodwaters, instead of overwhelming, become a space for transformation, where challenges inspire growth and resilience. This monumental piece, specifically created for Art Fair Philippines, conveys a powerful and timely message to Filipinos, with the hope that her art will transcend generations. The artist celebrates resilience, hope, and the beauty of staying afloat—both in water and in life. ✨
Known for his mixed-media abstracts, Carlo Magno’s use of color, line, and movement conveys profound emotional and philosophical resonance. His minimalist approach reflects his background in Chinese philosophy, often incorporating the circle motif and creating serene yet dynamic compositions. His architectural training informs his precise handling of materials, including acrylic mixed with sand for textural effects and horizontal gridlines that bridge reality and imagination.
Celebrated as a “Master of Light,” Magno’s large-scale abstracts feature luminous earth tones, gestural brushstrokes, and elements of Oriental abstractionism, uniting controlled spontaneity with rich textures and vibrant energy. His work invites introspection, inviting a dialogue between artist and viewer.
Decades of experience have given Yoichiro Nishimura a deeper appreciation for monochromatic photography. He believes that monochrome color encompasses all colors. His exploration of light and shadow unveil the mysteries and beauty of nature, blending revelation with concealment.
Agi Pagkatipunan
Born and raised in Maly, a small barangay in San Mateo, Rizal, Aguilardo “Agi” Pagkatipunan is a visionary furniture maker, sculptor, and designer. Originally trained as an architect at the Central Colleges of the Philippines, he later found his true calling in working with wood—transforming salvaged and recycled Philippine hardwood into striking functional sculptures. His practice seamlessly merges architecture, craftsmanship, and artistic intuition, breathing new life into discarded materials.
This distinctive chair is one of Pagkatipunan’s signature creations.
Medium: Molave, Kamagong, Ipil, Dao, Yakal, Saplungan, Balayong
Dimension: 81.28 x 91.44 x 101.6 cm
Joshua Limon Palisoc
The power to change—to reclaim, redefine, and transform—has always been our birthright. But assimilation, especially under colonial and societal pressures, often forces us to detach from this power, making us believe that conformity is survival.
To assimilate is to trade aspects of our identity for acceptance, often at the cost of our ancestral memory and innate capacity to shape our own narratives. In doing so, we internalize imposed fears—of our folklore, our spirituality, our ways of being—until we forget that these were once sources of strength.
One common belief is that within the ‘Puso ng Saging’ lies a ‘Mutya’—a small, luminous stone or jewel imbued with supernatural power. This mutya is said to bring protection, healing, or immense luck to the one who possesses it. However, it is not easily obtained. Folktales warn that spirits, such as ‘Engkanto or Diwata’, guard this treasure, testing the intentions of those who seek it. Some stories even claim that the mutya only reveals itself to the pure-hearted, while others say it vanishes if taken with greed.
By reinterpreting these narratives, the Mutya can become a metaphor for reclamation. The power to change is not lost—only buried. To reclaim it is an act of courage, of unlearning imposed fears, and of embracing the wisdom that was never truly destroyed, only waiting beneath the surface, like the Mutya within the ‘Puso ng Saging’.
“Kapangyarihan ng Mutya”
Medium: Stainless Steel, Glass, LED and Electical Components
Dimension & Year: 182 H x 152 W x 152 D cm, 2025
Toshio Iezumi
Stripes are a special pattern
I find that this pattern has a special relationship to depth. It seems to me that the stripes are the link between the sculpture (the surface) and the illusion that occurs inside the painting or photograph. I aim to create a visual effect that seamlessly merges the surface of paintings and photographs with the surface of sculpture.
Integrating a mirror between layers of glass enhanced the depth of the striped patterns inherent in the sculpture's convex and concave forms.
Endless Column of Glass
In the 'Move' series, initiated in the 2000s, Toshio Iezumi showcases vertical sculptures that command a powerful yet delicate presence. These sculptures concentrate on the undulating waves, incorporating alternating convex and concave forms to impart an effect of movement, reminiscent of the ripples created by cascading waterfalls. The artist placed a mirror in between the glasses creating a depth that is different from the previous series.
Endless Column of Glass continues the exploration of movement central to the Move series.
Medium: Heat Reflective Glass, Ultraviolet Adhesive
Handmade, Carved & Polished
Dimension: 180 x 15 x 10 cm
thehumble.ant
A striking wall installation of ants in vivid colors evoking the rhythmic movement of a clock, encapsulates the essence of ‘A Thousand Years’, drawing art enthusiasts into its contemplative narrative. It also encourages us to appreciate the remarkable qualities of these tiny creatures and respect the environment, the shared space we live in.
The Chronicler of the Crawling Cosmos reflects thehumble.ant’s fascination with the intricate worlds brimming with life that often go unnoticed. Ants, frequently dismissed as mere nuisances, hold a cosmic significance in their work. Their vibrant colonies, filled with purpose and connection, mirror the universe itself—a complex, interwoven realm of resilience, collaboration, and creativity.
Medium: Recycled Base, Stainless Steel, Paint
Dimension: 26 x 20 x 12 cm
Drawing inspiration from the revolutionary Sodeisha movement that emerged in Kyoto in 1948, Shinya Tanoue's artistic style embodies a spirit of creative liberation and rebellion against conventional ceramic norms.
"Shell 24 No. 222"
Ceramics, 27.5 x 69 x 41 cm
Shell ‘20 一 孵
Medium: Ceramics
Dimension & Year: W 28 x D 26 x H 24 cm
In his innovative ceramic pursuits, Tanoue explores the potential of his chosen medium, infusing it with deep emotion and a sense of wonder. Defined by elegant simplicity and refined beauty, his artworks offer a fresh perspective on Japan's revered ceramic heritage. For Shinya, clay symbolizes vitality, serving as a means to express the core essence of life. Through meticulous use of coil techniques and manipulation of three clay varieties, he sculpts his ceramics with precision, employing two slips to achieve distinct textures. The intricate surface carving imparts a unique tactile feel and visual richness to his pieces. Furthermore, he elevates their appeal by embellishing the interiors with a lustrous blue-glazed finish.
