Fil-Am artist Neil Folloso transports from US, exhibits art works in the countryside

Fil-Am visual artist Neil Folloso’s first major solo exhibit in the Philippines has been long overdue.

As a matter of fact, it’s been years that Neil has conceptualized the ideal art show he has in mind but nothing has materialized yet until “Achara at Banana (Fickled shreded papaya or hearts of palm or coconut stalks),” a collection of his paintings slated on Monday, 18th day of December, 2023 at the Le Menoir of Mom’s Backyard, Barangay Danlagan, Lopez, Quezon, his hometown.

The show will feature outstanding collections of Folloso done and shown abroad since 2015.

All the entries to the show were transported from Texas, USA via a “balikbayan box.”

One of the rare art pieces Neil will display in the “Achara at Banana” showcase is the “No Fishing” work which was exhibited at the Society of Philippine-American Artists (SPAA) in New York City in 2018 and won Best in Acrylic.

What is odd about the show is the absence of the artist himself in his one-man show.

“I am very sorry. I did my best to be in my art exhibit but my leave from work application wasn’t approved immediately,” said Neil.

A show with the artist in absentia isn’t new in the art scene, anyway.

Folloso, however, promised he’d make it next year for a bigger gig with a reinforced title “Achara at Banana Festival.”

“Mas marami pong activities next year, December 29 and 30. May modelling po (There would be more activities, like modelling, next year),” assured the artist. 

“At sigurado pong darating na ako (And I’m sure of coming to town),” he chuckled.