Sydney sojourn

Salcedo Auctions’ back-to-back international exhibitions in 2024 show its commitment to bringing Filipino art and design to the global audience.

After staging Filipino artist Junyee’s exhibition in Taipei, Taiwan in June last year, it partnered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to open a group show in Sydney, Australia on 25 October.

It was a well-attended occasion with collectors and representatives from the Philippine Embassy in Canberra, the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center — Sydney coming out in full force to support the special exhibition titled Paradise Found: Contemporary Philippine Art & Design, which was organized by Salcedo Auctions’ gallery arm, Salcedo Private View. 

The three-day exhibition featured art by Poklong Anading, Ferdie Montemayor, Aze Ong, Nazareno-Lichauco and Davao-based Joel Geolamen, whose work was recently acquired for the permanent collection of the world-renowned Queensland Art Gallery for the Asia-Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art.

Though DTI Secretary Ma. Cristina Aldeguer-Roque couldn’t make it to the show due to a canceled flight, no less than Her Excellency Hellen dela Vega, the Philippine ambassador to Australia, opened the exhibition on Aldeguer-Roque’s behalf. Also on hand were Consul Sheila Tario, Consul General Charmaine Rowena Aviquivil, Vice Consul Frances Cleofas, Philippine Trade Consul Alma Argayoso and Nova De Lara, Cultural Officer. 

It was a momentous occasion held in the city’s exclusive harbourside suburb of Darling Point, which drew the leading lights of the Sydney art, fashion, lifestyle and social scene, as well as prominent members of the Filipino community in Sydney.

At the event were Kirstie Clements, award-winning author and former Vogue Australia editor-in-chief; Filipino-Australian artist Marikit Santiago, winner of the 2024 La Prairie Art Award; and Maritess Tantoco Enriquez.

Right after the event, Salcedo Auctions’ power couple, chairman and chief specialist Richie Lerma and CFO Karen Lerma, flew back to Manila to continue their blockbuster run.

They concluded their auction calendar with a glittery vernissage for the auction house’s final marquee sale of the year, Under the Tree: The Wish List, which was also a celebration of the DAILY TRIBUNE’s 24th anniversary. To mark the event, a special fashion show was staged featuring Manila’s top designers and supermodels.

The couple closed the year with another spectacular event, the collaborative exhibition titled “Masterpieces in Motion,” featuring the fashion of internationally renowned designer Michael Cinco and the works of Davao visual artist Caroline “Bing” Taojo. 

It was indeed a remarkable year for Salcedo Auctions. But it’s just a teaser to even grander plans for this new year.