About
Eskinita Art Gallery is an “art project” of “Eski”—Alfredo Esquillo. He envisioned it as an alternative platform and an artist’s intervention in the art scene that continues to grow, evolve, and complicate.
Esquillo’s vision was inspired by his mentor, and the Eskinita Art Gallery’s resident curator, Renato “Ato” Habulan, his struggle and growth as a student, and his journey to succeed as a professional artist. Both Esquillo and Habulan are painters, active and quite renowned in the Philippine art scene, in particular in the realm of social realism.
The “art project” continues to evolve in the “here and now” of contemporary art, with more curatorial and collaborative programs to engage the community, and inspire creativity and diversity in artists. The “art project” will look to the future as it shapes art making, but will respond to these developments, mindful of its role—as the arena where the artist’s message is amplified, and the hearer’s acquiescence or questions are welcomed.
Established in 2017, Eskinita Art Gallery brings about a contemporary platform for intervention within an art scene that continues to grow, evolve and complicate. Eskinita, as an artist-run gallery, hopes to engage the community with curatorial and collaborative programs that will encourage inspired creativity among artists of different backgrounds. At Eskinita, exchanges and discussions are regularly set up within and outside the gallery setting. The Tuklas (Discovery) Program of Eskinita highlights a mentorship and grants program for the continuing development and guidance of young and promising artists, awarding them with sponsored shows, including a residency program at its new Eskinita Art Farm in Tanauan, Batangas.
Eskinita, a space for inclusivity and openness, creates projects that survey the increasing diversity of approaches by artists of different generations and origins. While engaging with the 'here and now' in contemporary art, Eskinita also looks ahead to developments that will shape the future of artmaking.
“ESKI”
Alfredo Esquillo, Founder
Esquillo graduated with a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Sto. Tomas, and not long after started to receive recognition in local and regional art competitions. These include: the Philippine Art Awards and ASEAN Art Awards in 1995 and 1996, and the Thirteen Artists Awards from the Cultural Centre of the Philippines in 2000. As he established his brand of magic cum “social realist” style, his canvases became necessary fixtures in exhibitions that defined junctures in contemporary Philippine Art.