Filipino artist Michael Manalo chases dreams in new solo exhibition

Filipino artist Michael Manalo chases dreams in new solo exhibition

2025-10-30

Filipino visual artist Michael Vincent Manalo is now holding his latest solo exhibition, inspired by the process of chasing one’s dreams. FTV reporter Stephany Yang takes us into the exhibition to find out more about the stories behind each work.

Manalo’s works examine the complex journey of pursuing one’s dreams, showcasing both the struggle and serenity within that pursuit. Many pieces depict female figures with clouds drifting over or concealing their eyes, symbolizing the waiting process, uncertainty, and anticipation in the pursuit of dreams. In some works, faces are replaced by waves.

Michael Manalo
Artist
Some people or for example, a lot of people have a lot of dreams that we want to chase, but sometimes because life comes in the way. For example, this girl, I think she works in an office. She is working in an office or probably working as a person in a barista, for example. Maybe she has a dream as an artist, but because her money and time isn’t enough so it is almost impossible for her to chase her dreams. Still, she lifts her head above the strong waves as to show that that dream is still achievable.

This work, Home, explores the theme of hope, inspired by Manalo’s own story of moving from Taichung to Taipei to pursue his dream as an artist.

Artist
I feel like sometimes when we do these things. When we chase our dreams, for example, we always have this hope inside ourselves. I want to show this raincoat kind of represents that hope. I was living in Taichung for almost eight years. This represents me leaving that city. As you can see here, it’s kind of like I regret leaving that place because I am so used to it, but I feel like maybe the grass is greener in Taipei. Now I moved to Taipei and I feel like it was the best decision in my life. I am not saying that Taichung is that bad, but Taipei is more suitable for me.

What am I doing? Chasing Dreams, Flowing Moments" is a solo exhibit by Manalo. Hailing from the Philippines, Manalo originally trained in nursing before shifting to visual art. His works span digital art, painting, and installation, exploring themes of identity, memory, and the human condition through surreal, dreamlike imagery. Since moving to Taiwan in 2014, Manalo has taught art and continued pursuing his dream as an artist. He hopes to inspire others to chase their dreams no matter how tough the journey may be.

Michael Vincent Manalo
Artist
If we have a dream, we still have to try our best to achieve that. We should not give up. I mean, this exhibition is about that moment when we think we have to give up-but actually we should still try to push further.

His art exhibition is on view at +wò Cultural Practice in Hsinchu until Nov. 8.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#art #artexhibition #dream #chaseyourdream #hsinchu

追逐夢想! 菲律賓藝術家Michael Vincent Manalo最新個展

2025-10-30

菲律賓視覺藝術家Michael Vincent Manalo目前正在舉辦他最新的個展，靈感來自於追逐夢想的過程。一起來看看。

Manalo的作品探討追尋夢想的複雜旅程，展現其中的掙扎與寧靜。許多作品描繪女性形象，眼睛被漂浮的雲朵遮掩或覆蓋，象徵在追夢過程中的等待、不確定性與期待。在部分作品中，臉部則被海浪所取代。

[[藝術家 Michael Vincent Manalo]]
“有些人，或者說很多人，都有自己想追尋的夢想，但有時候生活卻成了阻礙。比如這位女孩，我想她可能在辦公室工作，或者是在咖啡店當咖啡師。也許她的夢想是成為一位藝術家，但因為金錢和時間都不夠，讓她幾乎無法去追逐夢想。儘管如此，她仍然在洶湧的波濤中抬起頭，象徵著那個夢想依然有可能實現”

這件作品則是探討「希望」的主題，靈感來自Michael Manalo從台中搬到台北，追尋藝術家夢想的故事。

[[藝術家 Michael Vincent Manalo]]
“我覺得有時候，當我們做這些事情，例如追逐夢想時，心中總是懷抱著一份希望。我想表達的是，這件雨衣某種程度上象徵著那份希望。我曾在台中生活了將近八年，這件作品代表我離開那座城市。如你所見，我有點後悔離開那裡，因為我已經習慣了那裡的生活，但我也覺得台北的環境可能更好。現在我搬到台北，我覺得這是我人生中最正確的決定。我不是說台中不好，只是台北更適合我"

《What am I doing? 逐夢，流動的瞬間》是Michael Manalo的個展。來自菲律賓，原本接受護理訓練，後來轉向視覺藝術創作。他的作品涵蓋數位藝術、繪畫與裝置藝術，透過超現實、夢幻般的意象，探討身份、記憶與人類處境等主題。自2014年移居台灣以來，Michael Manalo當過老師並追尋成為藝術家的夢想。他希望能激勵更多人勇敢逐夢，即使旅程艱辛。

[[藝術家 Michael Vincent Manalo]]
"當我們有夢想時，仍然必須全力以赴去實現它。我們不應該輕易放棄。我的意思是，這個展覽講述的正是那個我們覺得該放棄的瞬間，但其實，我們仍然應該努力再向前推進"

他的藝術展覽目前正在新竹的加沃文行展出至11月8日

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