Working both individually during their artist in residency of the biennale, Pueblo and Yamagata realized projects that respond to the physical and non-physical realm.

MERVY Pueblo’s installation is interjected with coded references, creating socially charged mysterious draperies that function as a portrait of contemporary reality.

This 14 November, 6 p.m., the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) unveils the work of visual artists Mervy Pueblo and Atsuko Yamagata from the recently concluded 7th Nakanojo Biennale in Japan.

The CCP invites visitors to look into the insights of the artists who address historical, contemporary and societal specters.

Pueblo and Yamagata, visual artists based in Manila, met, created and exhibited their works at the biennale that was held in Japan last September.

Working both individually during their artist in residency of the biennale, Pueblo and Yamagata realized projects that respond to the physical and non-physical realm.

Pueblo’s installation is interjected with coded references, creating socially charged mysterious draperies that function as a portrait of our contemporary reality.

Born in Quezon City in 1982, Pueblo graduated from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design with an MFA degree under the flagship of the Philippine-American Education Foundation and Fulbright Scholarship in 2013. She has received several awards from different institutions such as the Award for Continuing Excellent Service: for Visual Arts and Art Education by the Metrobank Foundation Inc. (2019, Phl), AICAD Post graduate Teaching Fellowship by the Minneapolis College of Art and Design MN, USA (Nomination, 2016); Thirteen Artist Awards (2015 CCP, Phl), Ethel Morrison Van Derlip Award (2013 USA), Ateneo Art Awards (Finalist, 2012 Phl), the Metrobank Art and Design Excellence: Sculpture Competition (Special Citation 2006, and Finalist, 2007 to 2010 Phl) and Recognition of Talented Youth in Arts and Culture conferred by the office of the Pasig City Mayor (2006).

SELF-TAUGHT Japanese visual artist Atsuko Yamagata explores animist processes and presents materialistic definitions of the immaterial.

Yamagata playfully explores animist processes and presents materialistic definitions of the immaterial just like how one’s journey is recorded by one’s own footprint. “Transcendental” offers an immersive experience that sets the space for an examination of one’s own values and of the indelible tracks that continue even after one’s presence is relinquished.

Born 1982 in Sapporo City, Hokkaido, Japan, Yamagata is a self-taught practicing visual artist since 2006 with a BA degree from the Foreign Studies Program of Tokyo University majoring in Indonesian language: Southeast Asian Cultural Studies. In 2012, she entered Musashino Art University in Tokyo, but withdrew after a year as she moved to the Philippines.

“Transcendental” will have its opening on 14 November, 6 p.m. at the CCP’s Bulwagang Carlos V. Francisco (Little Theater Lobby). The exhibition will run until 9 February 2020. Exhibit viewing hours are Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Hours are extended until 10 p.m. on days with evening performances at the CCP Main Theater.

For more information, contact the Visual Arts and Museum Division, Production and Exhibition Department at (632) 883-21125 loc. 1504/1505 and (632) 883-23702, 0917-6033809, email ccp.exhibits@gmail.com or visit www.culturalcenter.gov.ph.