Filipino, international artists connect cultures through art in Vienna

VIENNA, Austria — Filipino and international artists came together in Vienna this September and October for two exhibitions that placed cultural exchange, artistic diversity and the Filipino diaspora at the center of the city’s international art scene. 

“Pagtitipon 3,” held at the Publicartists CITYgalleryVIENNA, brought together artists from the Philippines, Austria and other parts of Europe and Asia. The exhibition was organized by Manila-based Bastedor Art Project and Vienna-based sige!, with the aim of creating a platform where artists could share their work, stories and cultural perspectives with a wider international audience. 

The exhibition ran from late September into early October, bringing together 43 artists from eight countries. 

The Philippine contingent included Addie Cukingnan, Alvin Montano, Arleen Lipana, Azor Pazcoguin, Chinnich C. Candao, Christian Piolo Meimban, Daisy Sta. Cruz, Eric Masangkay, Grandjoy Agdigos, Hilario Barrozo, Janddie Castillo, Junever Mahilum-West, Maria Cristina Salazar-Castillo, Nante Carandang, Noel Bueza, Norlie Meimban, Rey Aurelio, Rinaldi De Guzman, Sherwin Paul S. Gonzales, Summer Amour L. Pasana and Yul Servo Nieto. 

Representing Austria were Andy Nabong, Charmaine Taus, Gerry De Guzman, Gizelle Khan, Günter Lippl, Harold Khan, Jensen Moreno, Lisa Pangan and Raquel Eugenio. 

The international roster included Cecilia Lee, Chou Li Yun, Lee Mei-Ling, Liao Wan-Ting, Lin Yu Chen, Liu Hydra and Yeh Ju-Chen from Taiwan; Lena Cam Thanh from Vietnam; Kateryna Parakhina from Ukraine; Margo Calderero-Le Lain from France; Natalie Larimar from Germany; and John West from Australia. 

Rather than presenting a single definition of Filipino art, “Pagtitipon 3” brought together different approaches, from traditional and figurative works to contemporary, conceptual, photographic and mixed-media practices. 

That diversity was one of the exhibition’s central messages. 

“‘Pagtitipon’ is about bringing artists and cultures together,” said Norlie Meimban, founder of Bastedor Art Project and one of the exhibitors. “We want to show the diversity of Filipino art while creating meaningful connections with artists and audiences from different parts of the world.” 

For artists living outside the Philippines, the exhibition also provided a way to reconnect with their roots while engaging with artists and audiences from other cultures. 

Harold Khan, sige! head, artist and co-organizer, has emphasized the importance of creating opportunities for Filipino artists in the diaspora to be seen internationally.  “We would love to help Filipinos in the diaspora to be able to show their works, their vision, and share it with the world.” 

Artists such as Andy Nabong, whose practice is strongly connected to classical realism and figurative painting, represent one side of this artistic spectrum. His work reflects the discipline of traditional painting and the continuing relevance of academic approaches within contemporary art. His presence in Vienna also connects Pagtitipon with the city’s own long tradition of figurative and classical art.  

Yul Servo Nieto brought his own artistic perspective to “Pagtitipon 3,” drawing from his experiences as an artist who has exhibited in the Philippines and is now beginning to present his expressive compositions to audiences abroad. 

Reflecting on his experience at “Pagtitipon 3,” Nieto said the exhibition stood out because of the sense of community among the participating artists. 

“Sa dami ng exhibitions na sinalihan ko sa Pilipinas, at sa mga unang pagkakataon ko ring maipakita ang aking mga gawa sa ibang bansa, natutunan ko na bawat exhibition ay may sariling character at kuwento. Ngunit sa festival na ito, mas malinaw kong naramdaman ang spirit of community. Hindi lamang artwork ang nagkikita rito, kundi mga artists, ideas, experiences, at mga taong may parehong pagpapahalaga sa sining.” 

(After taking part in many exhibitions in the Philippines, and now having my work shown abroad for the first time, I have learned that every exhibition has its own character and story. But in this festival, I felt the spirit of community more clearly. It is not only artworks that come together here, but also artists, ideas, experiences, and people who share the same appreciation for art.) 

His observation captures one of the central ideas behind “Pagtitipon 3”: that exhibitions can become spaces not only for presenting finished artworks, but also for creating relationships, exchanging ideas and building a sense of belonging among artists from different places. 

Janddie Castillo, known as the “Master of Splash Art,” brought his distinctive wisik or Splash-Splatter technique to “Pagtitipon 3.” Castillo combines elements of realism and impressionism with dynamic splashes, swiping strokes and bright colors, often drawing inspiration from nature. His works transform streaks and spots of color into compositions that convey movement, emotion and the beauty of the natural world. 

For Castillo, participating in “Pagtitipon 3” was also an opportunity to connect with fellow artists and bring his work to an international audience. “I am grateful to the organizers of Pagtitipon for giving me the opportunity to be part of this exhibition and to share my art with an international audience. It is a privilege to be among artists from different countries, and I truly appreciate the effort they put into creating a space where we can come together, share our work and celebrate art,” Castillo said. 

Addie Cukingnan brought her highly detailed floral paintings to the exhibition. Known for her vibrant depictions of flowers and nature, Cukingnan’s work combines Eastern influences with Western painting techniques and reflects her Chinese-Filipino heritage. 

“I want my paintings to feel alive,  as if the flowers have just bloomed in front of the viewer. I pay attention to every petal, every shadow and every detail because I want to capture not only how a flower looks, but the beauty and life that I see in it. For me, painting flowers is a way of celebrating nature and the Creator’s beautiful work.” 

Together, Filipino artists demonstrated that identity in art can take many forms, from cultural heritage and personal memory to contemporary interpretations of life abroad. 

Austrian artist Günter Lippl explored another dimension of the exhibition’s themes through work centered on separation, memory and the spaces between people and places. His compositions use deep shades, contrasting textures and openings of light to create spaces that suggest both distance and possibility. The contrast between darkness and light serves as both a boundary and a passage, reflecting ideas of borders, movement and different experiences. 

“The boundary between darkness and light can represent a border, but also a doorway or passage between different experiences,” Lippl said. 

Natalie Larimar, a German artist based in Vienna, added another European perspective to the gathering. Her work explores personal expression through contemporary visual forms, reflecting the way artists can draw from their individual experiences while connecting with wider cultural conversations. 

For Larimar, being part of an exhibition that brings artists from different countries together offered an opportunity to exchange perspectives and discover connections through art. 

“Art allows us to connect even when we come from different places. I am grateful to be part of these exhibits and to share this experience with artists from different cultures,” Larimar said. 

The artistic exchange continued beyond CityGallery with GLOBAL COLORS 2, presented at the United Nations Vienna Headquarters from September 28 to October 2. 

The exhibition placed Filipino and international visual artists in an environment associated with international cooperation and cultural diplomacy. 

The setting was particularly fitting for an exhibition centered on different artistic identities coming together. The United Nations Vienna complex itself has a long-standing art collection featuring works by Austrian and international artists, making art part of the cultural environment of the Vienna International Centre. 

For the participating artists, “GLOBAL COLORS 2” provided another opportunity to bring their creative work before an international audience and to demonstrate how art can create connections across national and cultural boundaries. 

The two exhibitions also reflected the increasingly international character of Filipino artistic communities abroad. Artists based in the Philippines stood alongside Filipinos living in Austria and other countries, while artists from Taiwan, Vietnam, Ukraine, France, Germany and Australia contributed their own perspectives. 

For the organizers, “Pagtitipon” is not simply about putting artworks on gallery walls. It is also about building relationships among artists and creating opportunities for Filipino creatives to participate in international art spaces. 

These Vienna exhibitions demonstrated how diaspora artists can serve as cultural bridges — carrying elements of their heritage with them while becoming part of the artistic communities of the countries where they live. 

The organizers also announced a charitable component to “Pagtitipon,” with a portion of proceeds from artwork sales  and with the help of generous sponsors intended to provide meals for street children in Manila. 

With “Pagtitipon 3” and “GLOBAL COLORS 2,” Vienna became more than a venue for the artists. It became a meeting point where Filipino, European and Asian perspectives could be seen alongside one another. 

For Filipino artists living in the diaspora, that visibility carries a particular significance. 

It shows that Filipino art does not have to be confined by geography. It can travel with the artist, evolve through new experiences and cultures, and still remain connected to where the story began.