“Is fire a memory, or is it that which sparks between bodies that makes us remember?” This is the question that artist Isola Tong explores in her upcoming solo exhibition, Bruha ng Disyerto: Landscapes of Fire. Open to the public from January 17 to February 14, the show will explore a number of themes, including fire, colonial forestry, cultural landscapes, and identity.
According to the artist’s exhibition statement, Bruha ng Disyerto will primarily focus on “fire narratives across landscapes in California and the Philippines,” using the character of a “desert witch” as a metaphor to navigate the colonial relationship between the Philippines, Spain, and the United States.
The Filipino-Chinese artist, architect, and theorist has long been known for her thought-provoking art pieces that blur the boundaries between environmental, political, and cultural issues. Her body of work spans a variety of mediums, including community-based projects, digital design, fiber art, and experimental installations.
Tong’s previous works, such as her outdoor installation “Ark” with the University of the Philippines Vargas Museum and her experimental hosting of community events she calls “Transcentral Gatherings,” have examined the connection between nature, history, and identity — themes which she will explore more in-depth in Bruha ng Disyerto.
Tong’s exhibit will be housed at Gravity Art Space, an art gallery in Quezon City that serves as a space for emerging and established artists of Philippine contemporary art. The exhibit’s opening reception will be held on January 17 at 7 p.m.
