Silverlens marks 20 years with warehouse party, exhibit

Norberto Roldan’s ‘Incantations in the land of virgins, monsters, sorcerers and angry gods,’ 1999–2018. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF SILVERLENS

Silverlens recently celebrated its 20th anniversary at its Manila location with a warehouse party and a private preview of its special exhibit, Markers: Silverlens @ 20, ongoing until 17 April at 2263 Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City. It features a handpicked selection of works marking pivotal moments in the gallery’s storied history.

Silverlens’ Rachel Rillo (left) and Isa Lorenzo with Bea Ledesma (standing).
Martha Atienza and Wawi Navarozza.
CJ Cruz and Nicole Coson.

Collectors, artists and friends gathered at Silverlens Manila’s parking lot for a night of entertainment and celebration. The evening featured performances by artists Wawi Navarroza, Pow Martinez and Isabel Aquilizan, and a rare appearance by the rock band Barbie’s Cradle (composed of Barbie Almalbis, Rommel dela Cruz, Kakoy Legaspi and Wendell Garcia), who reunited specially for the evening. Drag queens dazzled and delighted guests with pop hits and ushered in a seven-foot-long birthday cake from Costa Brava.

Beats by Moira Lang and DJ Xtina Superstar kept guests dancing and energized throughout the night. Cibo di Marghi by celebrity chef Margarita Forés provided the event catering, alongside Brujo Craft Beer.

BARBIE Honasan
Juliette Hoschka and Janina Dizon.
CHEF Gaita Fores
Celine Lopez, Sandra Soriano, Sarah Canlas and Chut Cuerva.

“We celebrate 20 years of art, exhibitions, artists, collaborators, collectors, teams, relationships, milestones, people. We started Silverlens in 2004, but we would be nothing without all of you,” Isa Lorenzo told the crowd during the event.

Exhibit

For the exhibit, Silverlens showcases a selection of works personally handpicked by Lorenzo and Rachel Rillo, with some pieces sourced from their own collection. Participating artists include Martha Atienza, Corinne de San Jose, Patricia Perez Eustaquio, Nona Garcia, Pow Martinez, Wawi Navarroza, Gina Osterloh, Bernardo Pacquing, Gary-Ross Pastrana, Norberto Roldan and Yee I-Lann.

Gina Osterloh’s ‘Grid #4,’ 2014.

Silverlens is an international gallery with locations in both Manila and New York. Through its artist representation, institutional partnerships, art consultancy and exhibition programming including art fairs and gallery collaborations, Silverlens aims to place its artists within the broader framework of the contemporary art dialogue. Its continuing efforts to transcend borders across art communities in Asia have earned recognition as one of the leading contemporary art galleries in Southeast Asia.

Silverlens was founded in Manila by Lorenzo in 2004. In 2007, she was joined by co-director Rillo. In September 2022, the gallery opened its doors in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York, broadening its international scope and bringing its diverse roster of artists to a new global audience.

More anniversary events will be unveiled throughout the year. For more information, visit www.silverlensgalleries.com.