Geraldine Javier

b. 1970, Makati, Philippines
Lives and works in Manila, Philippines

Geraldine Javier belongs to a new generation of young Filipino artists whose interests are variegated and extensive, and who, unlike their social-realist predecessors, are engaged in pursuing the personal and the idiosyncratic. Geraldine’s works are charged with tension and provocation, combining cool, calculated sophistication with raw urban grit. Images of death, misery, dysfunctional relationships, and emotional violence are recurrent themes. Her world thrives on complex, viscous thoughts and intimations, silent tensions and implosions. At first sight, the specific work on show carries strong reference to a sacred altar-piece. While Geraldine‘s interest in religious iconography is connected to her own biography, having lived and struggled with the Catholic culture in the Philippines, her work is devoid of any affiliation with a particular religion. Rather, it aims at communicating universal, collective values.

“I had a primary and secondary Catholic education. The nuns taught us of the sacrifices of Jesus and the other martyrs and from this I can deduce that the catholic religion‘s foundation was built on blood and guilt as a consequence. The same guilt that the church exploits as it continues to exert an almost authoritarian influence on Philippine society and our government to the point of paralysis in terms of decision and policy making“. (Geraldine Javier, 2011).

Since 2004, Geraldine has been exhibiting her work internationally. Her solo exhibitions include “Curiosities” at the Vargas Museum, U.P. Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines (2013); “Playing God in an Art Lab” at the Singapore Tyler Print Institute, Singapore (2012); “Museum of Many Things” at the Valentine Willie Fine Art, Singapore (2011); “In The Beginning…” at Arario Gallery, Korea (2011); “Samploc Cave Paintings” at the Finale Art Gallery, Philippines (2008); “Living Images, Leaden Lives” at the West Gallery, Art Center, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City, Manila, Philippines (2008); “Girls Will Not Be Girls, Art Center, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City, Manila, Philippines (2006); and Weight of Light, Finale Gallery, Lao Center, Makati, Manila, Philippines (2005).

In 2009 she participated in the Prague Biennale, Prague, Czech Republic. In 2003 she was awarded the Thirteen Artists Award by the Cultural Centre of the Philippines. Today, Geraldine is recognised as a leading figure in contemporary Filipino art both in her country and overseas.