December 5, 2025 marked the 50th anniversary of the founding of Galleria Duemila, the longest-running art gallery in the Philippines today. Many of the illustrious 37 artists featured in Avanti, Siempre Avanti/Forward, Always Forward represent symbiotic relationships that blossomed into life-long friendships with the gallery founder Silvana Ancellotti-Diaz. They, among hundreds of artists, worked alongside each other to shape and influence the Philippine contemporary art scene.
This momentous two-month celebration from January 13 to March 14, 2026 showcases a range of paintings, mixed media, works on paper, and sculptures that have never or rarely been seen by recent generations of artists, collectors, arts appreciators, art students, and educators.
These artworks created in 1957-2018, from Galleria Duemila’s vast collection and archives, curated by Angel Velasco Shaw, were, for the most part, intuitively chosen. They are a small sampling of works that drew this trailblazing woman into promoting Philippine modern art unconditionally. Avanti, Siempre Avanti/Forward, Always Forward brings its viewers into an art world based not on fame and market value, but rather on Galleria Duemila and Diaz’s love for artworks that surprise, create a sensation of bewilderment, and heighten curiosities.
In conjunction with the exhibition, walk-throughs and panel discussions featuring writers and artists will be scheduled from January to March 2026. They will be open to the public.
