If you’re looking for an art show that goes beyond the usual, “Anthony Fermin: An Exposition with the Masters” at SM J Mall is worth your time. Open since May 30 and running until June 14 at the Atrium, Upper Ground, this exhibit does something rare by bringing together works by Visayan top talent and contemporary artist Anthony Fermin alongside pieces by iconic Filipino masters.
Fermin’s paintings are known for their expressive, almost graffiti-like strokes, exploring themes of faith, transformation and Filipino resilience. The exhibit features nine of his pieces, carefully selected to resonate with the larger narrative. But what truly makes this exhibit special is its curatorial approach. His artworks hang side by side with 26 pieces by featured artists and legends like Vicente Manansala, Jose Joya, Fernando Amorsolo and more. Visitors can have a fresh, layered view of Philippine art history not as a timeline of separate movements, but as a living, evolving narrative.
A conversation through generation
This setup invites viewers to discover unexpected connections and contrasts in how Filipino identity has been portrayed over time. The exhibit drew a diverse crowd of art patrons, collectors, creatives and cultural advocates, all gathered to witness the convergence of past and present. Among the notable attendees were Hans T. Sy, Chairman of the Executive Committee of SM Prime Holdings Inc., and Marissa N. Fernan, Vice President of SM Prime Holdings, who took time to view the works and engage with the powerful stories behind them.
The exhibit also featured works by other revered artists such as Jose “Kimsoy” Yap Jr., Ramon De Dios, Govinda Jean Marquesto, Tina Marie Gandionco, Clint Normandia, Dennis “Sio” Montera and Jose Mari Picornell.
More than just a visual experience, the exhibit also carries a social mission. Part of the proceeds will go to the Philippine Red Cross-Cebu Chapter and CDB Cares, helping fund medical missions and outreach programs in the Visayas. Art has long been a space for community-building and real-world impact.
The launch of “An Exposition with the Masters” couldn’t have come at a more fitting time, aligning seamlessly with the country’s Independence Day celebrations. This is a time when the spirit of being Filipino is not only commemorated but expressed and reinterpreted through colors and composition.
For anyone curious about the shifting shape of Filipino identity through art, this exhibit is a good place to begin.