A Moment in Time

Seasoned artist James Gabito returns to the scene with an enduring fervor for Manila back in its heyday. With a deep understanding of Filipino history and culture, Gabito’s works extend beyond mere representation: exploring the essence of Manila and the broader Filipino experience. Showcasing his works at Galleria Nicolas Glorietta, Gabito’s collection stages archival Manila in a vibrant dream sequence: fleeting memories that seem to exist between real and imagined, veiled to create a version of a timeless place that etched a deep mark in our shared history.

Gabito’s latest series of works emanates specific local themes attuned to domestic settings and everyday life, such as the simplistic beauty of living in the countryside, ultimately displaying the spirit of positive Filipino values such as family, solidarity, perseverance, and community. With this, the artist continuously masters his signature style, and together with loose brushwork and a distinct color palette, Gabito’s works are nuanced with movement, depth, and spirit.

His depiction of vendors and barter trade also serves as a reminder of how certain aspects of Filipino culture have transcended time, surviving in both rural and urban contexts alike.

Further, the artist’s impressionist approach hopes to unveil a bigger picture–to form a collective memory of a place that has captivated generations, enduring the tests of time, culture, and social class, elevating both the historical and modern-day landscape.

At its heart, the exhibit is an ode to Manila; keeping its traditions alive while adapting to the evolving landscape of Filipino art. The idea of togetherness, ever-present in Filipino culture, pulses through his paintings, reinforcing the values of unity and familial bonds that remain fundamental across generations.

James Gabito (b.1979) is a Filipino painter who studied Fine Arts at the University of Philippines Baguio. His works depict archetypes of the provincial culture attesting to its unspoiled and vibrant way of living. The artist’s interpretation stems from a perspective of change in practice, depicting local folks in old rural and urban settings, arriving in horse-drawn carriages and offering their freshest harvests, assembled with a sense of artisanal intricacy and rawness that is uniquely distinctive of the Filipino identity.

“A Moment in Time” by James Gabito will run from February 7 to 16, 2025. Galleria Nicolas Glorietta is located on the 3rd Floor, Glorietta 4, Courtyard Drive, Ayala Center, Makati. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas at +63 917 534 3942, or email info@gallerianicolas.com.