Archie Oclos to host artist talk, private viewing of 'Daloy' exhibit

Archie Oclos. Handout

MANILA — Multi-awarded visual artist Archie Oclos will host an intimate artist talk and private viewing of his latest presentation, “Daloy,” on Saturday, July 26, at The Astbury in Makati.

The event is a collaboration between Oclos, Likhaan.com — a platform dedicated to Filipino creators — and The Astbury, a cultural hub in Makati. It offers a rare chance for members of the art community to engage directly with one of the Philippines’ most socially engaged contemporary artists.

Oclos is set to reflect on the evolution of his practice, the role of space and material in his storytelling, and the deeper narratives behind his most significant works. The artist talk, titled “Through the Years,” begins at 3 p.m., followed by a private viewing of “Daloy,” which will run until August 26 by appointment.

“Daloy,” which translates to “flow,” is described not as a conventional exhibition but as a curated collection of Oclos’ past and recent works. The pieces trace his ongoing inquiries into displacement, infrastructure, memory, and resistance — themes shaped by years of research and fieldwork.

Among the works featured are explorations of the walls of war-torn Marawi, the dense power lines of urban Philippine landscapes, the forced migration of Indigenous peoples, and archival investigations of Filipinos once exhibited as spectacles abroad. Oclos uses mixed media and layered surfaces to transform these into “lived spaces” where stories of trauma, survival, and dignity intersect.

Drawing inspiration from thinkers such as Doreen Massey, Henri Lefebvre, and Brian Larkin, Oclos invites viewers to consider how memory and hope persist, even within fractured histories. The artist talk aims to provide an entry point into these ideas, while the private viewing offers a more immersive experience.

Oclos, who grew up in a farming community, is known for works rooted in social and environmental advocacy. His accolades include the 2024 Asian Cultural Council Fellowship, the 2019 Ateneo Art Awards, and the 2018 CCP Thirteen Artists Award. He has also been recognized twice in Forbes' 30 Under 30 Asia list.