• Cultural
  • Exhibition

New Beginnings: Philippine Photographic Art

Beyond Frankfurt Event

In light of the dynamic practice of visual culture across time in the Philippines, this exhibition presents a diverse selection of photographic works from an archipelago in Southeast Asia. The artists explore a range of concerns: personal identity, tradition, spirituality, storytelling, migrant labor, urban life, survival, memory, and the concept of home. All these trains its lens on both deeply personal narratives and broader social reflections.

Rooted in a complex colonial history and shaped by stark social contradictions, Philippine photographic art often indexes moments of transformation and resilience. Through experimental portraits, installations, and compelling documentary styles, the exhibited works foreground emerging subjectivities, lived realities, and cultural
processes.

The participating artists include Xyza Cruz Bacani, Nana Buxani, Tommy Hafalla, Gina Osterloh, Augustine Paredes, Wawi Navarroza, Veejay Villafranca, and MM Yu.

This contribution by Fotografie Forum Frankfurt is organized on the occasion of the Philippines as the Guest of Honour at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2025. New Beginnings: Philippine Photographic Art is curated by Patrick Flores, Andrea Horvay, and Celina Lunsford.

Exhibition period
27 September 2025 to 11 January  2026  
Press Conference
26 September 2025, Friday | 11:00
Opening
26 September 2025, Friday | 19:00
Gallery Walk with Artists and Curators 
27 September 2025, Saturday | 12:00

Curatorial Team
Patrick Flores, Andrea Horvay, and Celina Lunsford

Artists
Tommy Hafalla, Gina Osterloh, Nana Buxani, MM Yu, Veejay Villafranca, Wawi Navarroza, Augustine Paredes, Xyza Cruz Bacani

A person in a denim jacket and jeans stands with their head turned and hair obscuring their face, surrounded by plants and tall grasses in a staged indoor setting.