Carlo Tanseco celebrates Filipino culture in 'Sari-Sari Sabi-Sabi' exhibition

Filipino artist Carlo Tanseco brings an underappreciated aspect of Pinoy life into the spotlight with his latest solo exhibition, Sari-Sari Sabi-Sabi, opening at J Studio Gallery during Art Fair Philippines 2025. The exhibit immerses visitors in the vibrant world of the sari-sari store, a ubiquitous element of Filipino culture, offering a visual celebration of everyday life, nostalgia, and community.

The sari-sari store has long been more than just a neighborhood convenience shop — it serves as a social hub where stories are exchanged, friendships are formed, and everyday life unfolds. For Tanseco, these everyday snacks hold deep personal significance, tied to childhood memories spent in these neighborhood corner shops with family and friends.

The title Sabi-Sabi, which loosely translates to “what people say” or “rumor,” reflects the conversations and social exchanges that take place in these spaces. Through this lens, Tanseco reimagines these simple snack items as larger-than-life sculptural works, transforming their familiar packaging into powerful reflections on Filipino identity, nostalgia, and community. Each item becomes more than just a product of consumption; it becomes a cultural symbol.

Sari-Sari Sabi-Sabi builds upon the success of Tanseco’s previous sold-out exhibition, Canned Thoughts, furthering his exploration of everyday consumer products and their transformation into art. In this new body of work, Tanseco reimagines the familiar logos, bold colors, and playful fonts associated with Filipino snacks, infusing them with uplifting and positive messages. True to his signature style, he combines humor and playfulness with intricate patterns and realistic imagery, adding layers of depth and meaning to these common items. The exhibit invites viewers to reconsider these everyday products, celebrating not only the snacks themselves but the connections they foster and the shared experiences that unite Filipino communities.

The exhibition presents a dynamic installation of oversized snack representations, arranged in interactive displays that invite engagement. By reworking these common snack foods, Tanseco invites viewers to reflect on the ties that bind Filipino communities, from the simple joy of sharing a bag of chips to the comfort of slurping a bowl of noodles on a rainy day. This immersive installation brings the communal atmosphere of a sari-sari store into the gallery, evoking the warmth and connection that these everyday rituals symbolize.

Sari-Sari Sabi-Sabi offers a reflection on the objects that define Filipino life, celebrating the humor, joy, and resourcefulness that shape the culture. Through Tanseco's intelligent humor and bold visual reimagining, the exhibit turns ordinary snacks into cultural icons, prompting a deeper conversation about identity, belonging, and the simple pleasures that unite us.

“Sari-Sari Sabi-Sabi” will be on view from 21-23 February 2025, with a special preview on the 20th at J Studio Gallery during Art Fair Philippines at Ayala Triangle, Makati City.

For more details, visit @carlotanseco_art or @artjstudio on Instagram or contact J Studio at 0935-537-6399.

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