#artnow: The Poliform Collection of International Contemporary Art, an exhibition of paintings and sculptures by some of the most prominent global names today, will be available on view beginning Friday, February 10, 2023 at the 12F Gallery of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Design and Arts Campus.

The showcase, which includes around 100 artworks of Southeast Asian and Western flair, features globally influenced and culturally diverse artworks, highlighting the collaborative design by Takashi Murakami and the late Virgil Abloh, an intriguing Tracey Emin in neon, George Condo’s take on psychological cubism, an enthralling portrait by Grace Weaver and a mysterious figure by Vojitech Kovarik.

Completing the roster are Brian Calvin, Javier Calleja, Emma Cousin, Jonathan Edulheber, Camilla Engstrom, Tomoo Gokita, Bambou Gili, Jennifer Guidi, Ania Hobson, Jordy Kerwick, Tahnee Lonsdale, Mia Middleton, Tania Marmolejo, Nicolas Party, Charlie Roberts, Tom Sachs, Theo Viardin, Jess Valice and Mark Whalen.

The pieces, which capture and explore the concerns and conceits of modern-day society, were personally accrued for a decade by businessman Tim Tan, one of the owners of Poliform, a leading distributor of Italian furniture and lighting in the country.

The vast assemblage were sourced from prestigious art fairs such as Paris+, Art Basel Miami Beach, Frieze Seoul and Frieze London. They were likewise acquired from auctions and pop-up shows and commercial galleries across the world, to include Gagosian, Thaddaeus Ropac, White Cube, Almine Rech, Pilar Corrias, Another Gallery and Salon 94.

Motivated to inspire a new generation of Filipino innovators and visionaries, Tan meticulously and personally handpicked the most groundbreaking ones. The show is produced by Benilde Center for Campus Art (CCA) and curated by Architect Gerry Torres.

“We are very grateful for the generosity of Tim Tan, who, with this exhibit, has given our students the opportunity to view up close original art by some of today’s most important international contemporary artists,” Torres expressed.

Inspired by the paintings and sculptures, the young student-artists from Benilde Industrial Design Program explored the relationship and intersections between art and design as they conceptualized and created their very own soft toys.

The finished figures, which will also be available on view at the exhibition, were conceptualized and created under the guidance of their mentor, designer-educator Budji Tresvalles.

The show will likewise host an Instagram competition with the iconic KAWS vinyl figures as prizes. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/BenildeCampusArt.

#artnow: The Poliform Collection of International Contemporary Art is available for public view from Friday, February 10, 2023 until Friday, May 5, 2023 at the 12F Main Gallery of the Design and Arts Campus, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, 950 Pablo Ocampo Street, Malate, Manila.