#5: What is art for?
Let's welcome National Arts Month 2025!
Hello, February!
In case you didn’t know, it’s National Arts Month in the Philippines! Every February, the country comes alive with festivals, art fairs, and creative events celebrating the diversity of Filipino art. Many museums also offer free entrance, so it’s the perfect time to explore and get inspired.
Recently, I’ve been inspired by Alain de Botton & John Armstrong’s book, Art as Therapy. It’s a thoughtful, charming read, perfect for anyone who has ever wondered: what is art for?
Art undoubtably has several forms and functions—the book outlines seven functions—but one of my favorite takeaways is that art rebalances us. Serving as both a mirror and a channel for self-expression, art holds our memories like souvenirs. It reminds us of beauty when the world feels bleak, and offers hope where words fall short. At its core, art is a way of communicating our humanness, capturing emotions too complex for language alone. I love how this book expresses that art isn’t just something that decorates space and time, but something that actively helps us navigate life.
For me, ideas always come from other ideas—art is birthed from other art. Whether through books, music, or life itself, inspiration is always in conversation with what came before. In doing so, we bring about what comes next. This is why I love drawing connections between different creative works. Art helps me connect the dots between my past and future, marking milestones contrasting what is known and what is still possible.
With that, I’d love to invite you to my first gallery exhibition of the year! After Laughter, presented by Altro Mondo at The Picasso, is a show about the paradox of experience. “Life, with all its vivid memories and intense emotions, feels monumental when seen up close. Yet, from a distance, we are small beings navigating a vast and interconnected world. This profound duality endlessly fascinates our two artists—Bea Policarpio & Markus Jentes.”
In this exhibit, we visually explore how we experience highs together as a community, but often carry our bittersweet truths in private. The term After Laughter evokes a pause following a moment of release, acknowledging both the joy and chaos of being alive in the modern age. In the quiet aftermath of a shared laugh, emotions shift subtly—perhaps to reflection, melancholy, or a deeper connection. What lingers is the beauty and humanity in these fleeting moments.
Preparing for this show has been one of my favorite exhibit experiences to date. It feels like a new direction for my art—not entirely a departure from what I’ve created before, but more aligned with the vision I’ve always wanted to express. I’m really excited to show you my new works (!!!!!) My co-artist Markus’ new pieces also mark a breakthrough in his style—blending geometric patterns with striking horizon lines. We spontaneously conceptualized this show together nearly a year ago, and it’s finally happening!
So if you’re reading this, you’re invited to join us at the artist reception! After Laughter will be launching next Friday, February 7th, from 5-9pm in Salcedo, Makati. If you’d like to come, I’d appreciate you letting me know by replying to this email. :) This exhibit will run until April 28. Either way, I’d love to continue this conversation with you IRL!
Hope to see you there—
xxxx, B
PS. As a preview of my collection’s moods and vibes, I invite you to listen to Paramore’s album of the same title—an album that, much like the upcoming exhibit, explores the tension between lightness and gravity. Its bright, synth-pop sound contrasts with deeply darker lyrics, mirroring the way we often hide our struggles behind humor or a polished exterior. The title itself asks: what happens after the laughter fades?