Arellano, Agnes

Born in Manila on November 21, 1949, Agnes Arellano is a globally renowned Filipina sculptor, educator, and cultural organizer based in Quezon City. Her rich career spans fine art, theater design, and corporate leadership. Notably, she was the Founder and President of the historic Pinaglabanan Galleries (1984–1990), a non-profit organization that continues to sponsor contemporary art and aid international curators.

Arellano’s work has been showcased in major international biennales from Havana to Johannesburg. Her masterworks are held in prestigious global institutions, including the Singapore Art Museum and the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum.

Education & Academic Background:

1979–1983: Major in Sculpture – College of Fine Arts, University of the Philippines (UP)

1975–1976: Cours de Langue et Civilisation Françaises – Université de la Sorbonne, Paris

1971–1972: M.A. Units in Clinical Psychology – Ateneo de Manila University

1966–1971: Bachelor of Arts, Major in Psychology – University of the Philippines (UP)

Selected Awards & Distinctions:

2002: "Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan" (Guardian of Art and Culture) Award for Sculpture, City of Manila

1996: Freeman Fellowship Residency – Vermont Studio Center, USA

1988: Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Thirteen Artists Award

1988: "Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan" Award for the Visual Arts (via Pinaglabanan Galleries)

Selected Solo Exhibitions:

2014: Flying Dakini Inscape – Mo Space, Taguig

2002: Rebirthings – Alliance Française, Makati

2001: Through Her, With Her, In Her – De La Salle University Art Gallery, Manila

1999: Dead Trees: Tinamaan ng Kidlat – Ayala Museum, Manila

1990: Myths of Creation and Destruction II: The Temple of the Sun God – Mitsubishi-Jisho Artium, Fukuoka, Japan

Selected Global Bienniales & Group Exhibitions:

2011: Complete and Unabridged Part I – Institute of Contemporary Arts Singapore

2006: Homage to the Earth – Busan Biennale Sculpture Project, South Korea

2000–2002: Who Owns Women's Bodies? – Traveling Exhibition (Philippines and Thailand)

1999: Third Asia-Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art – Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane, Australia

1996: Traditions/Tensions: Contemporary Art in Asia – The Asia Society, New York, USA

1995: Africus: Johannesburg Biennale – Newtown Cultural Precinct, South Africa

1994 & 1997: Quinta & Sexta Bienal de la Habana – Centro Wifredo Lam, Havana, Cuba

Cross-Disciplinary Highlights:

Stage & Set Design: Collaborated extensively with director Anton Juan, designing set sculptures and masks for plays like Death In The Form Of A Rose (1991) and The Bacchae (1992). She also integrated her sculptures into stage sets for the ethno-tribal musical band Pinikpikan and Grace Nono (1999–2001).

Academia: Served as a Senior Lecturer for undergraduate thesis classes in Sculpture at the University of the Philippines (1991–1993).