Literary and Cultural Studies Program launches new art exhibition featuring the works of Glenn Gonzales

Ateneo's Literary and Cultural Studies Program (LCSP), in association with PLUME, Kritika Kultura, and the Ateneo Art Gallery (AAG), launched a new exhibition at its office gallery last 13 August 2025. The new exhibition features the works of queer social realist Glenn Gonzales, alongside pieces by Alfredo Manrique, courtesy of the AAG.

Born in Santa Rosa, Nueva Ecija, Glenn Gonzales graduated with a degree in fine arts from the University of the Philippines Diliman. He is also a member of Tambisan ng Sining, a progressive group of artists that seeks to develop the creative abilities of workers as well as illuminate their issues. 

Emphasizing collaboration and co-creation, the curators introduced the pieces on display. Luke Siquijor (3 AB Comm) discussed Gonzales' Pagtatabas ng masasamang damo and Mga peste, which are visible as one enters the LCSP office gallery. Opposite these is Manrique's triptych, Farmer and his Wife Together Looking at a Background of Tall Building, Boy Hunkering / Holding an Inverted Pyramid, and Man with Crocodile, which was introduced by Program Director Dr Charlie Samuya Veric.

Rei Ramos Kawabata (3 AB Lit) riffed on three pieces from Gonzales' polyptych Paghuhukom. The three pieces, which occupy pride of place in the main wall facing the LCSP office's entrance, consist of Ang pag-usbong ng paglaban, Araw ng pag-ani, and Ang mga apostol ng paglinang sa lupa.

Meanwhile, Ryan Menchate (2 AB Lit) annotated Mga nilalang sa lungsod, while Vigo Maximus Poralan (3rd AB Lit) analyzed Pagliyab laban sa imperyalismo, both by Gonzales.

Finally, the crowd's attention was brought back to the entrance of the LCSP office gallery for the final piece from Paghuhukom, Ang pagdilig ng dugo sa lupa. As Francessca Abalos (4 AB Lit) explained, this piece was hung above the entrance like a stained glass window in a cathedral, providing visitors with a final piece to reflect on as they leave the premises and return to reality.

After the gallery walkthrough, the attendees gathered at the Natividad Galang Fajardo room for a conversation among Mx Gonzales, Lisa Ito, and Fr Jason Dy SJ. Ms Ito is the curator of Parola, the UP Fine Arts Gallery, and a member of the Concerned Artists of the Philippines. Fr Dy teaches at Ateneo's Department of Fine Arts; he is also a curator and conceptual artist whose work was featured in the LCSP's previous exhibition. Together, they highlighted the relationship of art to Philippine society, noting the rise of social realism as an artistic movement during the regime of Ferdinand Marcos Sr and its continuing relevance under the rule of Marcos Jr today. In particular, Mx Gonzales underscored the significance of the queer perspective in the struggle for social justice.

The speakers also discussed the visual similarity between Mx Gonzales and Manrique, especially in the use of certain animals, despite their generational differences.

In addition, Stephen Zagala (1 MA LitCS) responded to the speakers, representing the perspective of graduate students in the program. Ms Ma Victoria "Boots" Herrara, Director and Chief Curator of the AAG, gave the closing remarks.

The event was followed by a late merienda at the De La Costa Hall faculty lounge. The show is on view until 10 December 2025 in the LCSP office gallery.