From October 18 to 26, three Filipino artists represented the country at the prestigious Florence Biennale-Angelie Banaag, Joe Datuin, Noli Principe, Lorina Capitulo, Marjowyn Vito, Veronica Ibaretta, and ART HOUSE’s very own Marco Polo Cabrera. As the Philippine contingent, these artists represented the faith, heritage, resilience, and imagination of the creative community in the country.
This year’s edition explores ‘The Sublime Essence of Light and Darkness: Concepts of Dualism and Unity in Contemporary Art and Design.’ Inspired by this theme, MarPolo unveiled his collection, Kaluwalhatian: The Sky Realm Series. In this collection, the artist draws from Philippine mythology, kaluwalhatian, or the heavenly realm of Bathala (the Supreme Deity and Creator). ‘The collection is a celebration of that celestial world, of faith, culture, and the eternal dance between the skies and the soul,’ MarPolo says.
As an abstract and mixed media artist, MarPolo has always been inclined to explore new materials and surfaces that bring forward the conversation on sustainable art. In Kaluwalhatian: The Sky Real Series, he once again punctuated his canvas with semi-spherical forms that are made out of cement and coconut peat. The artist expounds, ‘This is a blend that I made to make the half spheres lighter, more organic, and sustainable. I believe that art and sustainability can co-exist, creating masterpieces that not only speak to the soul, but also care for the earth. Every piece is a reminder that creativity thrives when we respect both nature and imagination.’
MarPolo and ART HOUSE first collaborated in December 2024 for ELEMENTO, a future-forward immersive art experience that harnessed the power of art to inspire change, connect with communities and amplify the conversation around sustainability. ‘Sustainable art and materiality has always been the common ground that binds ART HOUSE with its roster of artists,’ explains Carlo Pineda, founder of the multi-channel creative platform. ‘We are always looking for ways to amplify the conversation around this, and support our artists in any way possible whether it be through shows or by sponsoring important projects.’ For the Florence Biennale 2025, ART HOUSE was the proud sponsor of MarPolo.