Carlo Tanseco: ‘This show reflects the chapter of my life when I was introduced to Architecture’
Art Cube presents The Anthropometric Man, the 11th solo exhibit of acclaimed multimedia artist Carlo Tanseco on Oct. 4, 2025.
This exhibit is highly anticipated of Tanseco who, in a relatively short period, has left an impact on the art scene and has drawn a following—and collectors—by pulling surprises, be it in concept, medium, perspective, artistry, his ideas and wit, indeed a human expression, creating a rapport with the viewer.
In The Anthropometric Man, Tanseco draws from anthropometry—the scientific study of human body measurements, proportions, and composition. With his foundation in architecture, he elevates anthropometry from a technical discipline into a creative framework, embedding proportion and balance into his visual language.
“This show reflects the chapter of my life when I was introduced to the study of Architecture,” Tanseco tells TheDiarist.ph.
“Most of my shows depict significant portions of my life what result in who I am today. The canned goods and snack series, because of my fascination with iconic branding of grocery and sari-sari store products as a kid, and the concept of retail, and of course, growing up with these products.
“Similarly, my Rizal, book, Pacman and robot series all reflect snippets of my past that are core memories and interests that led me to who I am today.”
For Tanseco, anthropometry represents another chapter in his own life. It was his very first introduction to architectural training, where the human figure is considered the start and the ultimate end user of architecture and design. This grounding makes the study of proportion not merely technical, but deeply human, and central to his artistic journey.
Known for his fascination with pattern, order, and symmetry, Tanseco simultaneously subverts these very principles. His works move fluidly between structure and disruption—where precision yields to freedom, uniformity bends to defiance, and individuality emerges without losing reverence for the human form.
Dusk and Dawn
In this new series, Tanseco revisits mythological figures such as Icarus and Narcissus—timeless archetypes of ambition, beauty, and downfall—embedding them within his language of proportion and layered patterns. Alongside these myths, he introduces the subject of Siargao, the island he loves and calls home, bringing its spirit and landscape into dialogue with the human form.
The sense of symmetry is powerfully expressed in works such as his yin and yang pieces, where duality and balance become both subject and structure. Together, these explorations expand the conversation between myth and place, proportion and memory, rooting his practice in both the universal and the personal.
Icarus
What distinguishes this new body of work is Tanseco’s use of layered, three-dimensional canvases. While the pieces carry his recognizable symmetry and artistic DNA, they also break the traditional surface of the canvas, extending into sculptural space. In doing so, Tanseco not only expands his exploration of proportion but also continues to weave in his signature details and intricate patterns, ensuring continuity with his past practice while forging new ground.
Walk (Right)
Tanseco’s exhibitions have reflected a deeply personal journey. His first solo exhibition, Juxtaposed: Between Order and Complexity (2021), introduced audiences to his hallmark style: meticulously ordered grids and symmetrical patterns disrupted by complexity. Within these works, subjects such as mythological figures, art heroes, and national icons emerged from structure, highlighting the tension between conformity and freedom.
Alias Elias (2021) and Panapanahon-Paraparaan (2022) reimagined José Rizal, one of his lifelong heroes, through symbols, portraits, and intimate retellings.
He also presented Ex Libris (2022) an ode to his favorite cult classic novels. In this series, he interpreted works like One Hundred Years of Solitude, The Tempest, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Secret Garden, and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Revisiting these books later in life, he found their remembered themes transformed, using the language of cover art, symbolic imagery, grids, and pattern to translate literary tropes into visual explorations of memory, identity, and wonder.
He also staged Lupang Hinirang (2023), a show on Filipino identity and nationalism, where the Philippine anthem and its spirit became a lens to reexamine heritage, belonging, and the collective imagination.
Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto (2022) and Waka Waka (2023) tapped into his childhood encounters with anime, robotics, and video games, blending nostalgia with pattern and design.
His last two exhibitions—Canned Thoughts (2024) and Sari-Sari Sabi-Sabi (2025)—brought everyday Filipino icons into the gallery space. Using canned goods, snacks, and packaging as canvases, he turned the familiar into reflections of identity, memory, and humor. Both shows resonated widely, capturing attention online and going viral not only for their originality and charm but also for their ingenuity and quality of execution.
Through all these shows, Tanseco has consistently balanced order and disruption, layering patterns and motifs with personal memory, humor, and cultural references. The Anthropometric Man marks the next chapter—turning inward to study proportion and symmetry through the human body, while extending his canvases into three-dimensional form.
The Anthropometric Man
by Carlo Tanseco
Opening reception: Oct. 4, 2025
Art Cube Gallery, OPVI Centre, 2295 Chino Roces Extension, Makati City
Exhibition duration: Oct. 4 – Nov. 1, 2025
Works on Display: A new series of layered, three-dimensional canvases exploring proportion, symmetry, and the balance between order and disruption.
