Ching Valdes-Aran is best known for her work onstage. But the Obie-winning actor has also shown her paintings in New York for years, including at the Philippine Center, where she will join 19 other Filipino visual artists for an exhibition opening Oct. 5.
“Chiaroscuro: A Dialogue Between Light and Shadow” brings together artists whose practices range from painting and printmaking to photography and public art. Presented by the Society of Philippine-American Artists (SPAA), the show takes its title from the use of light and shadow to give images depth. Descriptions of the individual works have not been released, so the title offers a theme rather than a preview of what each artist will show.
For Valdes-Aran, this is not a first turn toward painting. She held a solo show at the Philippine Center in 2012 and exhibited there again in 2014 alongside her niece, Nicole Valdes Schorr. That later show explored memory, reflection and devotion — subjects that offered another side of an artist audiences may know primarily through her performances.
The artists joining her have taken varied routes to their work. Ann Constantino Beck trained as a nurse before studying multimedia design and photography in Singapore. She works in mixed media and printmaking, continuing to make art while raising a family and, for a time, driving for a rideshare service. Chito delos Santos paints in watercolor and oils, drawing subjects from flowers, everyday people and scenes of Philippine life. Light and shadow have been described as defining elements of his paintings.
Loren San Diego works across photography, music and public art. Born in the Philippines and raised in the United States, she has photographed families and children, taught piano and painted a piano for Sing for Hope. Carol Tanjutco often paints outdoors, turning places she visits into oil paintings; she has also exhibited at the Philippine Center and written about SPAA’s shows.
Lenore RS Lim combines traditional and digital printmaking techniques. An exhibition of her work at the National Museum of the Philippines in 2024 featured prints inspired by leaves, lace and wedding veils. Celso Pepito’s paintings engage with Filipino culture and social themes.
Also featured are Aurora Caparas-Corpuz, Ronald Cortez, Teodoro dela Santa, Helen Dimaya-Amladi, Carlos Esguerra, Mayo Landicho, Athena Magcase-Lopez, Chato Morando, Mirinisa H. Myers, Ameurfina H. Nazario, Godfrey C. Pinder, Marcelino Rodriguez and Dahlia Rogers.
SPAA, founded in 1994, brings Filipino and Filipino American visual artists together through exhibitions and other programs. Its show at the Philippine Center last year was titled “Colors of New York.” This time, the shared prompt is light and shadow — though how the 20 artists interpret it will become clear only when their work is on view.
The opening reception is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5, at the Philippine Center (556 Fifth Ave.) in Manhattan.
