Journey of objects in the eyes of Ling Quisumbing Ramilo

To jumpstart National Arts Month this 2026, Arthouse presents its second iteration of Lakbay, featuring assemblage artist Christina “Ling” Quisumbing Ramilo.

Ling’s artworks present the “journey” of sorts of objects, as she puts together collected pieces, most of these discarded, and puts them together in completely unexpected ways.

What’s more intriguing about her art is that these not only draw interaction from viewers, but makes them think, too. 

“It’s very varied what I do, and I use different materials,” she tells DAILY TRIBUNE. 

The exhibit, which will be held from 30 January to 1 February at the Mezzanine of Discovery Primea, will also showcase nine global Filipino artists including ALLDEFS (UAE), Katrina Bello (US), Kim Cruz (PT), Joseph Gabriel, Racso Jugarap (BE), Kulay Labutingan (UK), Angela Silva (US) and Pinky Ibarra Urmaza (US), who will be reacting to Quisumbing’s works.

Curated by her good friend Marika Constantino, a diverse collection for this Lakbay exhibit “spans about 40 years, from the 1980s to the present time,” Quisumbing says. “They’re like my children, I love them all!”

A private preview of Ling’s works gathered collectors, enthusiasts and experts of Philippine contemporary art to the mezzanine lobby of Discovery Primea last 16 January. 

Wooden benches from the Madre series served as pieces of functional art that guests could sit on and relax. Graphite sketches from her Roadtrip series were crowd favorites, evoking nostalgia and a sense of Filipino “hugot.” Other mixed media pieces like Mukhang Pera, Screwpulous and Spin of Love spoke of the artist’s wit, humor and uncanny ability to toy with words and double entrendres. Guests were invited to interact and react to the these works of art. 

Mukhang Pera came about in 2010 when she “chanced upon a sack of shredded money” and made a giant P100 bill out of it. She copied the design, and by putting a mirror on an oval shape in the bill, she made the work a conversation piece.

“I gravitate toward certain things, and I always think, I can make this into art. It’s just a matter of time before it happens. Sometimes it takes me years. You can just imagine what my studio looks like…I have piles and piles of materials, waiting for me to convert them into artworks,” she relates.

At the exclusive, by-invitation event, small bites by Flame Restaurant’s executive chef Luis Chikiamco were passed around. This menu, crafted especially for the event, was inspired by the artist’s approach to repurposing and reimagining discarded materials. 

There were casual and lively conversations with Art House founder Carlo Pineda, curator Marika Constantino and featured artist Quisumbing. By the end of the preview, guests were more determined than ever to kick off their National Art Month journeys with a stop at Art House’s Lakbay: Through Visual Poetries with Christina “Ling” Quisumbing Ramilo.