ASEAN-Japan Exchange Year 2003 Arts of People Ⅲ
Santo ― Holy Sculptures from the Philippines

The Arts of People series introduces popular and folk art deeply rooted in the life and society in Asian regions, while being continuously produced up to date. In this third exhibition of the series, we introduce ‘Santo,’ the sacred statues that nurtured Christian culture in the Philippines.

Focusing on the contemporary popular culture in the Philippines, the show features wooden Santos that reflect a variety of regionality, Santos on sale in stalls around churches, as well as an installation work in which a household altar turns into a contemporary art made by Norberto Roldan, one of the representative artists in the Philippines, and more. The exhibition aims to highlight the distinctive characteristics of religious art in the Philippines that are inherited in various aspects of the daily life of its people.