drybrush Gallery is not the first nor the only art gallery in the Philippine with a fully operational website where people can look at art and purchase what they like. But the gallery, which opened during the pandemic in November 2020, has been fairly successful not just in doing business but in promoting Filipino art.
Currently, the website has more than 2,400 artworks of over 400 Filipino and local artists. drybrush offers free delivery within the Philippines. The website is easy to navigate. It has filters that help you select what style of painting you want, your budget, preferred size, or genre.
“The pandemic greatly affected all artists so the goal and inspiration was to promote Filipino art, support artists during that difficult time and, at the same time, make art accessible to everyone,” said drybrush Gallery owner Jojo Liao.
One of drybrush Gallery’s goals was also to make art available to Filipinos who live not only in Luzon but also in Visayas and Mindanao.
Aside from being art collectors, Jojo and his wife Joweeh are in finance and information technology industries so drybrush Gallery combines their expertise and passion.
an influential artist
who is known as
the ‘Art Teacher of
the Philippines’
When the pandemic ended, Jojo and Joweeh opened their first physical gallery in MOA Square.
“Customer behavior changed. They now wanted to see the paintings in person before making a purchase,” said Jojo.
Still, drybrush Gallery’s online business continues to do well. It also has a gallery in BGC for private viewing. Clients would go to drybrush’s website and pre-select the paintings they want to view and that’s what Jojo will prepare.
Half of drybrush Gallery’s business comes from the website.
“The customers that buy from the website are those who started buying from us during the pandemic. We got a lot of first-time collectors during the pandemic and we are happy that they still buy from us,” said Jojo.
drybrush Gallery’s new exhibition is called Pamana (Heritage), which features nine distinguished Filipino masters whose combined artistic journey spans over half a century. Each one is over 70 years old.
They are Nelson Castillo, Juno Galang, Romeo Gutierrez, Prudencio Lamarroza, Nemi Miranda, Rodolfo Samonte, Caesar Sario, Fernando Sena, and Turs Simsuangco.
Castillo is known for using vibrant colors in his paintings that capture the essence of the Filipino spirit. Juno Galang has captured the hearts of art collectors with his interpretations of of Philippine rural life and traditions, while Romeo Gutierrez masterfully does Philippine flora and rural scenes.
Prudencio Lamarroza’s Amburayan Queen series has captivated art enthusiasts worldwide. Nemi Miranda is a pioneer in exploring indigenous themes through contemporary expressions, while Rodolfo Samonte is admired for his abstract interpretations of Philippine landscapes. Caesar Sario’s paintings speak of his love for the planet. Fernando Sena is an influential artist who is known as the “Art Teacher of the Philippines.” Australia-based Turs Simsuangco does painting, photography, design and poetry.
The Pamana exhibition is a unique glimpse into the evolution of Philippine art through their personal journeys and distinctive styles.
The exhibit runs until February 28, 2025. For more information about the exhibition and available artworks, contact drybrush Gallery at 0917-5652917 or visit https://drybrush.com.
Image credits: PHOTOS BY DRYBRUSH GALLERY
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