AFM Gallery

Alliance Française de Manille (AFM), in partnership with the French Embassy to the Philippines and Micronesia, Galerie Y, and Bocca invite you to Visions of France: Landscapes for the Soul, a duo exhibition through the eyes of Manuel Baldemor and Rollie Yusi.

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

What do we think of when we think of France? For artists Manuel Baldemor and Rollie Yusi, it is not just the metropolitan sensibilities of Paris nor the cultural proclivities of urbanity that inform their artistic expression. They look for what speaks to their soul: the wide landscapes and locales that otherwise go unseen. They play with the idea of nostalgia and show what it means to be at peace in a place where one is far off and less familiar.
Visions of France: Landscapes for the Soul is a duo exhibit from artists whose love for France knows no bounds. Taking inspiration from French literature and their quiet sceneries, they paint images of French regions commonly overlooked.

We invite you to share this moment with us and to take a glimpse at places we might simply pass by. We will also showcase Syrah… L’oie qui ne serait pas du foie gras (Syrah… The Goose That Wouldn’t Be Foie Gras), a graphic book from Irma Dator Upchurch, Rollie Yusi’s sister, which will be released alongside the exhibit. We invite interested viewers to check out the book; some of the artworks that will be shown are pieces from the book itself, illustrated by Manuel Baldemor.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Manuel Baldemor is a Filipino painter, sculptor, printmaker, writer and book illustrator. He was born on March 26, 1947, in Paete, Laguna, Philippines. He is best known for his paintings on various media that depict scenes in simplified geometric forms with a folk art character. Most of his artwork subjects are different world landscapes and cityscapes as well as his hometown, its people and its many celebrations.

Rollie D. Yusi, Director of Galerie Y, is a painter since 1974, Art studies at the University of the Philippines and the "Northlight" School of Art in the United States. She has workshopped works under the direction of Joyce Pike, Barbara Nechis, Mary Ann Beckwidth, Jane Jones, Robert Burridge and Francesco Fontana—painters internationally renowned. The French landscape, vineyards and poppies are the main subjects of her works.

ABOUT THE BOOK

The story of a goose named Syrah, whose destiny of being made into Foie Gras was halted by stopping a thief from robbing the House of Bonvin with their truffle harvest.

For more information, send an email to nfuentes@alliance.ph / cultural@alliance.ph