PASIG CITY, PHILIPPINES — The air inside Kapitolyo Art Space crackled with energy as guests gathered for the highly anticipated opening night of Re:Flux+ion – The Energy of Reflection and Flow, the first solo exhibition of Nanette Ana Maria Villanueva—better known as Anama—in 25 years. Held at 23 W Capitol Dr.,Pasig, the exhibit runs from February 15 to March 8, 2025, marking not only a return to the Manila art scene for Anama but also a deeply personal homecoming.
A Filipino-American artist based in New York City, Anama has spent nearly three decades immersed in the world of art, both as a creator and as a long-time employee at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Her artistic journey is one of movement, memory, and transformation—qualities that permeate her latest body of work. With Re:Flux+ion, she invites viewers to experience the interplay between structure and spontaneity, chaos and calm, energy and reflection.
Disciplined Chaos: A Style Shaped by Two Worlds
Anama’s signature style, which she describes as “disciplined chaos,” is on full display in this exhibit. Layers of figures, objects, and symbols swirl together in compositions that are both spontaneous and deliberate. There is no rigid plan to her pieces—rather, they emerge organically, much like the unpredictable nature of life itself. Her works explore themes of migration, urban life, ancestry, and the passage of time, capturing the fluid nature of identity and human experience.
Having lived in New York for decades while maintaining deep ties to the Philippines, Anama’s art reflects her dual existence. She bridges the personal and the universal, infusing her pieces with elements of nostalgia, movement, and cultural resonance. One of her standout works, Manila in Motion, encapsulates this philosophy. The piece features intricate, wheel-like drawings, embodying the constant movement and chaos of urban life.
“Ang mundo ay masyadong magalaw, there’s a lot of movement and maraming chaos. However, that chaos also presents spontaneity in life,” Anama quoted.
A Homecoming Through Art
For Anama, bringing Re:Flux+ion to Manila is a significant milestone. Despite her international success—having exhibited at The Met, the United Nations Headquarters, and the Philippine Center—there is something profoundly meaningful about sharing her work with a Filipino audience.
She appreciates the accessibility and formality of Manila’s art spaces, a contrast to the more casual atmosphere of New York’s art openings.
Beyond nostalgia, the exhibit speaks to the power of interconnectedness. Anama hopes that her viewers will see reflections of their own journeys in her art, recognizing how life’s struggles and joys bind us together. Re:Flux+ion is more than just a showcase of artistic skill—it is an invitation to pause, reflect, and embrace the fluidity of existence.
Art as a Conversation
One of the most striking aspects of Re:Flux+ion is its openness to interpretation. While each piece carries personal significance for Anama, she believes that every viewer will bring their own experiences and emotions to the works. The exhibit’s title itself is a fusion of ideas—reflection, resurgence, flow, and energy—concepts that pulse through every canvas.
As guests moved through the gallery on opening night, the room buzzed with conversation and contemplation. The exhibit’s interplay of chaos and harmony resonated with many, a testament to Anama’s ability to capture the complexities of life through art.
With more exhibitions planned later this year, Re:Flux+ion marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Anama. For now, Manila has the rare opportunity to witness her artistic evolution firsthand—an experience that, much like her work, is bound to leave a lasting impression.
