December 5, 1975 marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of Galleria Duemila, the longest-running art gallery in the Philippines today. Many of the illustrious thirty-seven artists featured in AVANTI, SEMPRE AVANTI / FORWARD, ALWAYS FORWARD represent symbiotic relationships that blossomed into life-long friendships with Silvana Ancellotti-Diaz.
They, amongst several hundreds of artists, worked alongside each other to shape and influence the current Philippine contemporary art scene.
AVANTI, SEMPRE AVANTI / FORWARD, ALWAYS FORWARD
50 Years of Philippine Modern Art (1975-2025)
January 13, 2026
Galleria Duemila
210 Loring Street, Pasay City
Metro Manila, Philippines
A Milestone for Galleria Duemila
This momentous two-month celebration from January 13 to March 14, 2026 showcases a range of paintings, mixed media, works on paper, and sculptures that have never or rarely been seen by recent generations of artists, collectors, arts appreciators, art students, and educators.
These artworks created in 1957-2018, culled from Galleria Duemila’s vast collection and archive treasure trove were, for the most part, intuitively chosen. They are a small sampling of works that mesmerized this trail-blazing woman into promoting Philippine modern art unconditionally. AVANTI, SEMPRE AVANTI / FORWARD, ALWAYS FORWARD invites its viewers into an art world not based on fame and market value, but rather on Galleria Duemila/Silvana Ancellotti-Diaz’s love for artworks that surprise, create a sensation of bewilderment, and heighten curiosities.
PROGRAMMING:
In conjunction with the exhibition, walk-throughs and panel discussions featuring writers and artists will be scheduled from January to March 2026. They will be opened to the public.
FEATURED ARTISTS
Pacita ABAD • Leopoldo “Lee” AGUINALDO II • Ray ALBANO • Augusto “Gus” ALBOR • Federico Aguilar ALCUAZ • Nunelucio ALVARADO • Agnes ARELLANO • May BADDOUR • Santiago BOSE • Benedicto “BenCab” CABRERA • Eduardo CASTRILLO • Roberto “Bobby” CHABET • Charlie CO • Ramon Manuel “R.M.” DE LEON • Duddley DIAZ • Isabel DIAZ • Lamberto HECHANOVA • Jose JOYA • LAO Lianben • Raul LEBAJO • Cesar LEGASPI • Julie LLUCH • Arturo LUZ • Jerry Elizalde NAVARRO • Justin NUYDA • Hernando Ruiz “H.R.” OCAMPO • Manuel OCAMPO • Romulo OLAZO • Onib OLMEDO • Imelda “Impy” PILAPIL • Juvenal SANSO • Mauro “Malang” SANTOS • Solomon SAPRID • Nestor VINLUAN • Betsy WESTENDORP • Luis “Junyee” YEE Jr. • Phyllis ZABALLERO
ABOUT GALLERIA DUEMILA
Since 1975, Galleria Duemila has been dedicated to the promotion of contemporary and modern art from the Philippines. The gallery has an extensive collection of paintings, prints and sculptures. Services include conservation and restoration of paintings from the 16th century to contemporary art, consultation, commissions & installations.
Established by Silvana Ancellotti-Diaz, an Italian by heart and a Filipino by art. With the vision to expose Filipino artists locally and within the ASEAN region. It handles rare works by modern masters of the early 20th century, including Fernando Amorsolo, Fernando Zobel, H.R. Ocampo, Vicente Manansala, Jose Joya and Cesar Legaspi and showcasing local and international artists from the current generation.
Started in 1927, the Philippines Graphic is the longest-running printed magazine of national circulation that provides relevant news and features and promotes Philippine literature.
