Gajah Gallery marks its 10th year at Art Fair Philippines with an expansive showcase of Southeast Asian artistic voices. Featuring 17 artists across generations, the presentation at Booth 22, Level 8 explores contrasts and continuities, revealing how diverse perspectives across time and place reflect the region’s evolving identities, histories, and creative spirit.
A focal highlight of the presentation are the sculptures by National Artist Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera,celebrated Filipino artists Mark Justiniani, Charlie Co, and Leslie de Chavez. Created in collaboration with Yogya Art Lab (YAL), the works build on their previous explorations with the medium while setting a benchmark for the expressive possibilities of bronze in the region.
This emphasis on expression extends into painterly abstraction, where artists test the boundaries of abstract expressionism to explore the depths of their inner worlds. Indonesian artists Erizal As and Ibrahim manipulate colour and texture to convey a spectrum of emotions that evade any direct translation to literal words or realistic works. On the other hand, Yunizar elevates recognizable objects and figures in his work, similarly employing an intuitive, affective approach in his sculptures to capture the singular rasa, or the essence and spirit, of his everyday subjects.
From inner worlds, the presentation moves outward to confront broader social realities. Contemporary social realities are highlighted in Rosit Mulyadi’s After All This Time (2025). Referencing Filipino master Juan Luna’s The Parisian Life (1892), the work reflects on the stagnation beneath the illusion of change, where grand narratives remain unmoved: oppression persists in new guises, patriarchy continues to speak loudly, and colonialism merely changes its costume. Jemana Murti examines the friction between tradition and modernity through 3D-printed works that distort Balinese cultural symbols, while Tantin Udiantara’s minimalist paintings draw on Balinese philosophy, reimagined through abstraction.
Intimacy and observation re-emerge through the practices of Malaysian artists Kayleigh Goh and Fadilah Karim, who unearth the poetics of daily life through distinct sensibilities. Using industrial materials, Goh explores the emotional dimensions of spaces in her paintings, while Karim employs muted palettes and careful introspection to create gentle autobiographical works—merging realism with the dreamlike. Formalist concerns are further pursued in Ridho Rizki’s practice, as he redefines still-life painting through a signature technique that emulates the way the human eye perceives form.
Gajah Gallery’s presentation at Art Fair Philippines 2026 offers a considered view of contemporary Southeast Asian art, shaped by long-term engagement with artists and audiences alike. Privileging dialogue across generations, geographies, and material vocabularies, the presentation reflects the gallery’s sustained commitment to experimentation, collaboration, and the continued development of Southeast Asian art. Catch the presentation at Booth 22, level 8 from February 6 – 8, 2026.
