22 October 2024.The Philippine Embassy in Paris celebrated the vibrant and growing participation of Filipino artists across various exhibitions during the Paris Art Week which coincided with the Museums & Galleries Month in October 2024. Led by Philippine Ambassador to France, H.E. Junever Mahilum-West, the Embassy visited various exhibitions on 17-20 October 2024 which highlighted Filipino creativity as they make their mark in one of the world’s foremost capitals for culture and the arts.
Asia Now
Asia Now Paris Asian Art Fair took place at Monnaie de Paris on October 17-20, celebrating its tenth edition. It featured a curated selection of international galleries showcasing Asian artists and included a public program with site-specific installations, performances, conversations, and workshops. This year, Asia Now hosted a significant presence from the Philippines showcasing galleries like The Drawing Room featuring visual artist Roberto Feleo and The Columns Gallery featuring performance artist Eisa Jocson.
Mr. Cesar Villalon Jr. of Drawing Room Gallery welcomed H.E. Junever Mahilum-West to the exhibition of visual artist Robert Feleo at Asia Now exhibition in Monnaie de Paris.
The Columns Gallery Director Dong Jo Chang welcomed the Philippine Ambassador to Filipino performance artist Eissa Jocson’s work entitled Becoming White.
Business Art Fair - Le salon à venir
On 18 October 2024, the Business Art Fair opened with a strong Filipino representation. It showcased numerous artists, aiming to find common ground among art, business, and humanitarian efforts and emphasized accessibility to contemporary art during economic uncertainty, helping discover diverse talents and encouraging businesses to sponsor and purchase artworks. The event served as a platform for exchanges among cultural figures, businesses, and the public, promoting art accessibility. During this event, Filipino women artists blended fashion and the arts as each participant designed her own which she painted in her own style.
Visiting artists from KUNST (Kapatiran at Ugnayan ng Natatanging Sining at Talentong) Pilipino toured Ambassador Mahilum-West (center) in their exhibition at Business Art Fair. 
Artists in combined fashion and visual arts as they featured handpainted Filipiniana ternos.
Art Shopping - Salon international d'art contemporain at Carrousel du Louvre
The Embassy supported the Filipino artists’ exhibition at Carrousel du Louvre where Ambassador Mahilum-West herself exhibited her paintings along with other Filipino and international visual artists. This year’s exhibit hosted the largest Filipino representation of contemporary artists through the efforts of Paris-based art organizations Art and Cross-Cultural Exchange Society (ACCES) led by Ms. Margo Calderero-Le Lain and Kwadro Pintura led by Dhon Dela Paz.
H.E. Junever Mahilum-West (left) exhibited her works at the Salon international d'art contemporain in Carrousel du Louvre.
Visitors at the exhibit viewed the vibrant and diverse displays, engaging with the artists and learning about the inspiration behind each piece. The event provided an opportunity to purchase original artwork and foster a deeper appreciation of the creative processes and cultural influences that shape contemporary art. It welcomed art enthusiasts, avid collectors, and aspiring artists as it brought together art lovers from all backgrounds to celebrate the universal language of art.
The Ambassador also graced the vernissage of visiting Filipino artists from France, Canada and all over the world.
Artists’ Call
Participating artists across France and overseas who came to Paris for the Art Week exhibitions made a courtesy call on the Ambassador on 17 October 2024. A short program was held where they introduced themselves individually and gave background information on their artworks and inspiration. A number of visual artists donated copies of their work to the Embassy.
Ambassador Mahilum-West received artists participating in various Paris Art Week engagements.
The Philippine Embassy continues to support the growing number of Filipino artists in Paris who aspire to carve a name for themselves and showcase their identity in the city’s contemporary art scene. The Paris Art Week remains a vital platform for all artists who wish to make their mark globally; thus, the Embassy encourages and supports Philippine representation at these events.
This year’s Museum and Galleries Month in the Philippines honors the delicate balance between preserving the past and shaping the future with the theme, “Honoring Traditions, Fostering Innovation.” The Embassy encourages artists to honor our traditions by paying homage to the wisdom and experiences of our ancestors, as they pursue their passion in contemporary art.
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