ART | Appreciating contemporary art at Pinto Art Museum

One of the galleries at Pinto Art Museum.

Taking selfies and photos for their OOTDs and Instagram accounts is arguably on a lot of the minds of people who flock to Pinto Art Museum in Antipolo, Rizal. Yup, and that includes me. After all, Pinto Art Museum is perfect for OOTDs and Instagram shots.

I hope, however, that people don't forget something that makes Pinto so important in the first place--the art. The museum houses an extensive collection of contemporary art, mostly from up-and-coming artists. Let's take a look at some of them.

This one is easy to miss if one doesn't really pay attention because it's nestled among the bounty of plants throughout the museum compound. Look around, as art could be hiding in plain sight.

Suspended high above one of the museum's network of buildings, this one is unmistakably the work of Leeroy New.

Beautiful brass sculpture standing amid the gardens of the museum compound.

How would you feel if someone casually hung a chunky necklace around the neck of this resin sculpture? Because someone did and posed with it! I thought Pinto was clear about not touching the artworks.

They got at least two really huge paintings in one of the galleries. Here's me for scale.

Yup, that's another huge one.

Crowd-pleasing art installation, at least judging from the number of people who had their photos taken here.

Front and back, heart exposed. Beautiful!

I find this amazing because it's a painting that's obviously made to look like an old photograph. You'll get why the artist called it "Maalaala Mo Kaya" from the song's lyrics:

Kung nais mong matanto

Buksan ang aking puso

At taning larawan mo

Ang doo'y nakatago

Literally.

Here's another amazing painting. I say amazing because if you look at it closely, you'll appreciate the artist's detailed effort.

A closeup of a section of the painting. It's all in the details.

Another even bigger one from the same artist.

The painting was familiar to me because I've seen similar works from this artist from past editions of Art Fair Philippines.

Playing with light and catering to visual appeal.

Loved the details on this one.

Making a political statement with tin cans.

Conversations.

Working with yarn in a three-dimensional setup. Another familiar signature I've seen from previous editions of Art Fair Philippines.

Of course we love kitties!

Whether carefully mounted or casually sitting along hallways, art is literally everywhere here at Pinto.

Sculpted from crushed glass and resin, iconic Filipino comic character Zuma stands proud. I don't know if kids today would recognize him, though.

There are also a couple of mosaic pieces scattered throughout the museum.

Aha! There is a restricted section for adults only although no one's really watching if any minors sneak in.

Probably one of the few artworks visitors are encouraged to touch. Spin it and watch the changing reflections from this installation.

This is a cupboard full of plates, bowls, cups, and what-have-you, all wrapped in yellow paper with sentences (that look like parts of a story to me) printed on them.

One of my favorites, probably because of this artwork's texture. Take a closer look and they're like colored straw or something.

Here's a closeup.

For its primary reason for being, which is art, Pinto delivers. Sure not everything may be to everyone's liking but with the sheer number of artworks here, there's definitely something for everybody. One only needs to stop and smell the flowers to appreciate them.

There's definitely at least something for everybody here in terms of art.

GETTING THERE

There are jeepneys and UV Express vehicles near Farmer's Market in Cubao and in Shaw Boulevard (across Shangri-La Plaza, I think) that ply the Antipolo route. Take one that's going to Antipolo-Simbahan (church). 

Once there, get a tricycle and tell the driver to drop you off at Pinto Art Museum at Grand Heights Subdivision. Pinto is near the village entrance. Make a right on the first corner.

If driving, just use Google Maps like we did.

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Pinto Art Museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9am to 6pm (10:30am to 6pm for the cafe).

Entrance fee is at Php 200, Php 180 for senior citizens and PWDs, and Php 100 for students. Packages for photo shoots are also available. Just call +6326871015 and look for Jenny Villanueva.

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