Filipino artists woo Chinese collectors at HK expo

For Filipino gallerist Anna Bernarte Pendry, joining a culture expo in Hong Kong has helped her tap into China's burgeoning art market and enhance cultural exchange through art.

Pendry's Kambal Gallery recently showcased Filipino artworks at the Philippine booth of the International Culture, Tourism and Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition at the AsiaWorld-Expo. Pendry said participating in the expo allowed her gallery the opportunity to introduce the creativity of Filipino artists to Chinese art collectors.

One potential client that Pendry met at the expo is a corporate executive who is keen to buy several pieces of artwork by Hong Kong-based landscape designer and part-time artist Justine Velasquez, who used resin to depict Philippine seascapes and this resonates with Chinese clients.

Pendry noted that Philippine beach resorts are popular among Chinese tourists.

At the same time, parts of Chinese culture have also inspired Filipino artists as well. One such artist is Irene Bernarte Haagen, who co-founded Kambal Gallery with her sister Pendry. At the expo, she exhibited her mixed media paintings featuring a panda, the imperial horse and iconic Hong Kong landmarks such as the IFC towers and the Bank of China building.

Haagen said her artworks are an homage to her adopted home of more than 20 years.

Kambal Gallery, together with the Fashion Accessory Makers of the Philippines, or FAMPh, is part of the Philippine exhibit organized by the Philippine Trade and Investment Center-Hong Kong.

Roberto Mabalot Jr., vice-consul of the Philippines' Consulate General in Hong Kong, said participating in the three-day event helped promote the Philippines' creative industry to the Chinese market.

"The intention is of course to look (for buyers) outside the Philippines," he said. "That's why we invited possible importers that they might be able to talk to."

Gina Nebrida-Ty, president of FAMPh, said her group participated in the exhibit to showcase Philippine craftsmanship and promote trade relations between the Philippines and China. She said one potential lead is a business owner from Wuhan who has invited FAMPh to set up an outlet in one of the big malls in the central Chinese city. The Philippine exhibit has also attracted attention — and sales — from visitors to the expo.

While China has long been a key export market for Philippine products, Nebrida-Ty said Philippine fashion accessory makers have barely tapped into the Chinese market, and so FAMPh accepted the Philippine consulate's invite to participate in the expo.