Dr. Dennis “Sio” Montera proudly represented the Philippines at the 15th Gwangju Biennale in South Korea from August 25 to September 8, 2024. The Gwangju Biennale, Asia’s oldest and most prestigious biennial for contemporary art, serves as a vital platform for exploring pressing social, cultural, and political themes.
Dr. Montera contributed to the Philippine Pavilion exhibit titled “Locations of Freedom,” curated by multidisciplinary artist Avie Felix. His piece, a panoramic composition, addresses territorial tensions in the West Philippine Sea and surrounding contested waters. Montera described the work as “a statement piece that expresses personal sentiments on the current tension in these contested areas in relation to my interpretation of locations of freedom.”
The piece stands out for its methodical approach, a departure from Montera’s usual improvisational style. “What makes this piece different from previous works is the deviation from my usual process of having no predetermined composition,” Montera explained. “Actual lines were drawn from the onset to demarcate certain areas of the picture plane to establish the concept of territorial boundaries of neighboring countries.”
Montera’s work, consisting of 18 layers and topped with splatters of color symbolizing the volatility of water, emphasizes the fear that growing maritime disputes could escalate into armed conflict. “The idea of the conflict escalating to a worst-case scenario is very disturbing,” he reflected. “The artwork tries to capture the sentiments of everyone who values peace and freedom, as the ongoing disputes might break out into armed conflict.”
For Montera, “locations of freedom” represent places where life is richer and more peaceful, rooted in his experience of living in an archipelago. “Locations of freedom is my concept of where heaven on earth is, my happy place, albeit metaphorically,” he shared.
The Philippine Pavilion exhibit will remain on display at the Gwangju Biennale until December 1, 2024.
