Ateneo Art Awards 2025 Announces Shortlist of Artists and Writers

Every year, the Ateneo Art Gallery (AAG) recognizes the best in contemporary Filipino visual art and art criticism through the Ateneo Art Awards. This long-running program is divided into two categories: Fernando Zóbel Prizes for Visual Art, which honors outstanding exhibitions held within a two-year period by young Filipino artists under the age of 36; and the Purita Kalaw-Ledesma Prizes in Art Criticism, launched in 2014 and named after the art patron and writer who founded the Art Association of the Philippines. As a celebration of the arts, it plays a vital role not only in recognizing emerging talent but also in nurturing the development of the contemporary art scene as it provides a platform for new voices and encourages critical dialogue.

Last August 19, Wednesday, at the Grand Atrium, Shangri-La Plaza, AAG announced this year's finalists for both categories. A special preview of the exhibition is on display at the same venue until August 25, giving the mall-going public the chance to check out the pieces. The full exhibition, featuring all the shortlisted works and essays, will be open from September 5 to December 7 at the Ateneo Art Gallery.

'to weigh seeds, pulling through' (Gravity Art Space, 30 June–29 July 2023) by Jezzel Wee

The winners will be revealed at the awarding ceremony on October 5, 2025, at the Ateneo Art Gallery. Visitors can also cast their vote through the People’s Choice Poll during the exhibition's run. The winner of this special award will be announced after the show closes on December 7, 2025.

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Purita Kalaw-Ledesma Prizes in Art Criticism

In its 12th year, the Purita Kalaw-Ledesma Prizes in Art Criticism, co-presented with the Kalaw-Ledesma Foundation and The Philippine Star, received entries centered on the theme "Flight." The competition will name two winners from the English category, chosen by The Philippine Star and ArtAsiaPacific, and one winner from the Filipino category, selected by Katipunan Journal.

The winning writers will not only have their work published by the program's partners but will also be awarded month-long residencies. New to the list of residency partners is Indeks in Bandung, Indonesia, joining returning partners Orange Project Naranja Residency in Bacolod and The White House in Zambales.

Here are the 10 shortlisted writers for the 2025 Purita Kalaw-Ledesma Prizes in Art Criticism:

English Category

• Bea Belen-Ferrer - In Between Flight and Fallout: What Would Postwar Modernists Do?
• Abigail Buendia - When the City Catches Fire: In Defense of Carla Gamalinda's Open City
• Pie Tiausas - The internet is a space for the lonely
• Tyra Maria Trono - Wings for 99 Pesos: On the Sentimental Weight of Dollar-Store Objects and the Imagination of Flight
• Denzel Yorong - Martino Abellana and the myth of legacy

Shortlisted writers for the 2025 Purita Kalaw-Ledesma Prizes in Art Criticism - English Category

Filipino Category

• Mavs Alviar - Through the Fire: Kung masasaksihan mo lang ang mundo at ang ningning ng mga alipato mula sa ilalim ng mga basket at banig
• Emersan Baldemor - Hindi Lahat ng Umaangat ay Naaalala: Si Tandang Ano at ang Politikang Estetiko ng Paglimot
• Eric Jhon Bituin - Mga Paang Namumugto: Sining, Pandemya, at ang Lumalakad sa Gilid ng Daan
• Josh Paradeza - Ang Tuloy-tuloy na Pagpapalagay sa Winala, Nawawala, Nawalan ni Ides Macapanpan
• MJ Rafal - Ang Lipad at Liyab sa A Sea on Fire II ni Joar Songcuya

Shortlisted writers for the 2025 Purita Kalaw-Ledesma Prizes in Art Criticism - Filipino Category

Fernando Zóbel Prizes for Visual Art

This year marks the biennial return of the Fernando Zóbel Prizes for Visual Art. Twelve Filipino contemporary artists, all under the age of 36 during their exhibition runs, have been selected. Their nominated shows were held between May 2023 and May 2025.

'Beauty is in the Eye of the Colonizer' (KalawakanSpacetime, 27 October–30 November 2024) by Uri de Ger

From this talented group, four winners will be chosen. They will receive local and international residency grants from a network of prestigious partners, including ABungalow (Talisay, Negros Occidental), CASA San Miguel (San Antonio, Zambales), La Trobe University - La Trobe Art Institute (Bendigo, Australia), Liverpool Hope University (Liverpool, United Kingdom), OCAD University (Ontario, Canada), Project Space Pilipinas (Lucban, Quezon Province), and new residency partners Koganecho Area Management Center (Yokohama, Japan) and Monsoon Southeast Asia (Singapore).

Shortlisted artists for the 2025 Fernando Zóbel Prizes for Visual Art

The 12 shortlisted artists for the 2025 Fernando Zóbel Prizes for Visual Art:

• Lesley Anne-Cao - If time is an arrow, what is its target (Underground, 6 December 2023–10 January 2024)
• Uri de Ger - Beauty is in the Eye of the Colonizer (KalawakanSpacetime, 27 October–30 November 2024)
• Lui Gonzales - A Tree Is A Seed As It Falls (Kaida Contemporary, 2–21 March 2025)
• Silke Lapina - Bakit Pa (Edoweird, 1–28 March 2025)
• Celline Marge Mercado - Between the Lines (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) School of Art, Melbourne, Australia, 21 June 2024)
• Hannah Reyes Morales - Home Holds Still (Tarzeer Pictures, 16 November 2024-–30 January 2025)
• Veronica Peralejo - A Tiny Ball of Mud (West Gallery, 29 February–30 March 2024)
• Issay Rodriguez - gathering, collecting, ongoingness (MO_Space, 29 April–28 May 2023)
• Eunice Sanchez - Sa Ilog Nagtatagpo (West Gallery, 14 September–14 October 2023)
• Jel Suarez - As I Lift One Stone (Blanc Gallery, 9–30 November 2024)
• Vien Valencia - Totems (West Gallery, 18 July–17 August 2024)
• Jezzel Wee - to weigh seeds, pulling through (Gravity Art Space, 30 June–29 July 2023)