A Wild Sea

A Wild Sea

Kobayashi Gallery x Faculty Projects Curated by Patrick de Veyra Exhibition run: June 12-21, 2025

Address: 3F, 1-15-13 Shiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0014

Presented by Kobayashi Gallery, in partnership with Faculty Projects, A Wild Sea, a group exhibition featuring recent works by 18 contemporary Filipino artists, draws inspiration from a haiku of the same title by Matsuo Bashō.

A wild sea by Matsuo Basho

A wild sea-

In the distance over Sado

The Milky Way

In Matsuo Basho's haiku A Wild Sea, the poet captures the unpredictable and profound nature of the ocean — a vast, untamed expanse that both divides and connects, reflecting the ebb and flow of life. This image of the wild sea serves as a powerful metaphor for the shared experiences of Japan and the Philippines, two Asian archipelagic nations whose cultural identities and histories have been shaped by the sea.

Though separated by the vast expanse of the Pacific, Japan and the Philippines share a profound, almost inseparable relationship with their maritime environments. The ocean has long been both a source of sustenance and a boundary to navigate, a bridge to distant lands, and a challenge to sovereignty. It has also flooded and formed the interior landscapes of both peoples—shaping not only their physical spaces but their spiritual and cultural worlds. These islands are defined by their proximity to the water, yet also by the forces that seek to control or reshape them — from the ancient currents of trade to the modern pressures of geopolitical struggle, both nations grapple with the ever-present forces of today's hegemons.

Yet, even amid these challenges, the sea persists as a force that shapes both personal and collective identities. It raises the question: What does it mean to belong to a home defined by its many shores, its history of migration and colonization, its geographic isolation (and strategic geopolitical location), and its constant struggle for autonomy?

This exhibition gathers the works of 18 Filipino contemporary artists, each engaging with the oceanic theme through a range of forms, methods, and visual languages. Inspired by Basho's contemplation of nature’s wild and unpredictable force, these artists delve into how the sea — with its beauty, danger, poetry, and mystery — influences their sense of self, their relationship with the natural world and the cosmos, and their place in an ever-shifting global narrative.

Statements from the gallerists

“Kobayashi Gallery was established in 1978. Our exhibition projects feature the works of young and mid-career artists, including 3D artists, of the same generation as the gallery staff. The staff works alongside the artists in the desire shared by all to develop and grow together. Links between artists, art dealers and collectors are cultivated, with the gallery aiming to serve as a ‘salon’ for all involved. The gallery also has a history of handling numerous masterpieces of deceased and overseas artists. We aim to be a distinctive presence in the art scene, clearly displaying uniqueness. Particularly in recent years the gallery has striven to discover new young artists, and to foster and support them.

By participating in art fairs across Southeast Asia, we have had valuable opportunities to connect with local artworks, artists, and gallerists. Among them, we developed especially strong relationships with Filipino artists and gallerists. These encounters inspired us to deepen cultural and artistic exchange, which led us to regularly organize exhibitions featuring contemporary Filipino artists.

The goal of A Wild Sea exhibition is to introduce the rich diversity, individuality, and creative energy of contemporary Filipino artists to a Japanese audience. As a Japanese gallerist, I see this exhibition as a platform for cultural dialogue—an opportunity to explore both the shared values and unique perspectives between our two cultures.

Moreover, I believe that many Japanese viewers have had little opportunity to experience contemporary Filipino art until now. Through this exhibition, we hope to raise awareness and appreciation of Filipino contemporary art among a wider Japanese audience.

By presenting these powerful and expressive works in Japan, we aim to deepen mutual understanding and artistic connections, fostering long-term collaboration between our communities.” –Masatoshi Kobayashi, owner and gallerist behind Kobayashi Gallery

“We are very grateful to be able to go outside of our usual space for our Tokyo Project. This wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Masatoshi Kobayashi of Kobayashi Gallery.

All in all, it was an enriching experience to create this project in a new environment. We learned to respond to different contexts and to make exploratory work.

We hope to continue doing this in more places and spaces around the world, expanding the conversation and making room for more artistic exchange.” –RG Gabunada, co-founder and gallerist behind Faculty Projects