Rome: The inaugural Philippine Art Trek in Rome was formally launched with the unveiling of the ‘If the Shoe Fits’ exhibit by Milan-based Filipino artist Richard Gabriel, a 2007 Bagong Bayani awardee for culture and arts, at the Philippine Embassy. Gabriel, who left Pampanga 30 years ago to study art in Italy, built an impressive career after working as an assistant to Italian national artist Carla Tolomeo.
According to Philippines News Agency, Gabriel refined his craft over the years and earned notable commissions from top Italian design houses and a prestigious French hotel. His international recognition grew further in 2016 when he won the top prize at the 13th Artzept Zepter International Design Award for his treble clef mosaic sculpture. The Philippine Art Trek was launched in Rome to elevate and expand the presence of Philippine visual arts in Italy, showcasing the richness, diversity, and dynamism of Filipino artistic expression-from modern styles to avant-garde interpretations.
The opening reception on Nov. 5 was attended by Pangasinan 3rd District Rep. Maria Rachel Arenas, together with former Deputy Speaker Rose Marie Arenas as guests of honor. They joined Philippine Ambassador to Italy Neal Imperial and Gabriel in the ceremonial ribbon-cutting, alongside diplomats, art patrons and supporters of culture and the arts. In his remarks, Imperial highlighted the Philippines’ important place in the global creative landscape, describing it as a ‘fountainhead of the creative arts in Asia,’ shaped by the interplay of Western cultural exposure and indigenous identity.
He emphasized that the Philippines serves as a natural bridge between Southeast Asia and Italy, strengthened further by the country’s continued participation in the Venice Biennale, which brings top Filipino artists and architects to the international stage. Gabriel’s exhibition presents 18 mixed-media sculptures and six oil paintings that make up his newest body of work. His sculptures reinterpret the shoe not as wearable objects but as expressive vessels that convey personality, femininity, character, and whimsy. Every piece bears its own mood, created through meticulous combinations of leather, resin, fur, and pailettes.
Among the notable works are ‘Eros and Instinct,’ made of leather, fur, and resin; ‘Metamorphosis,’ made of resin and pailettes; and ‘Damulag,’ his powerful tribute to the Filipino carabao-symbolizing endurance, resilience, and the quiet strength of Filipinos around the world. His paintings also explore modern representations of the carabao, while ceramics add depth to the exhibition’s narrative. ‘If the Shoe Fits’ reflects themes of identity, migration, culture, and the personal journeys that shape the Filipino experience.
The exhibit will run from Nov. 4 to 18 at the Philippine Embassy in Rome. Following Gabriel’s exhibition, the Philippine Art Trek will continue with a series of showcases across the city. The first is Sea Lanterns: Voices Across the Sea, A Luminous Journey of Filipino Contemporary Art for Art Trek 2025 by the Dorothy Circus Gallery, featuring the works of Filipino artists BLIC, Rene Cuvos, and Mister Sasquatch from Nov. 5 to 17 at Via dei Pettinari 76. This will be followed by Memorabilia: Interwoven Memories of Tomorrow Between the Philippines and Italy by Atelier Montez, highlighting the artistry of Italy-based Filipino artist Paul Alex Samaniego from Nov. 7 to 30.
Originally conceived in Singapore, the Philippine Art Trek has long served as an important platform to elevate Filipino contemporary art on the world stage. Its debut in Rome marks a new chapter in cultural diplomacy and artistic exchange, celebrating the creativity, depth, and global relevance of Filipino artists while strengthening cultural ties between the Philippines and Italy.
