The Bayanihan Philippine Art Project is one of the most significant explorations of Filipino art ever presented in Australia. Over a four-month period a series of exhibitions, performances, creative writing and community programs will be on offer in Sydney at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Blacktown Arts Centre, Mosman Art Gallery, Peacock Gallery (Auburn) and Campbelltown Arts Centre in association with Museums & Galleries of NSW.

The Bayanihan Philippine Art Project brings together these five cultural institutions in a collaborative multi-arts program supported by the Philipine Consulate General, Sydney to celebrate the contemporary art and culture of the Philippines and its strong ties to Australia.

Bayanihan is a Filipino custom derived from the word bayan, which refers to the spirit of communal unity, work and cooperation to achieve a goal. The Bayanihan Philippine Art Project is a partnership founded on this concept of community collaboration.

In 2016, to commemorate the 70-year anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Australia and the Philippines, Dr John Yu AC, former Chair of VisAsia at AGNSW, initiated the Bayanihan Philippine Art Project proposing this major partnership across multiple venues in Sydney.

Dr Yu said there has been a growing recognition of the art of the Southeast Asian region over the last few decades but little attention has been paid to the art of the Philippines.The Bayanihan Philippine Art Project seeks to redress this imbalance and examine the diversity of art-forms and artists of the Philippines and present them to Australian audiences.

“It is thrilling to see this project realised and to be able to explore the rich offerings from contemporary artists in the Filipino community across five cultural institutions,” Dr Yu said.

The Bayanihan Philippine Art Project commences at the Art Gallery of NSW on Saturday 24 June 2017 when the exhibition Passion and procession: art of the Philippines opens to the public. The Gallery will also host Habol Ilonggo, a fashion parade to coincide with the opening day of the exhibition, featuring traditional Filipino hand-loomed textiles and contemporary fashion design, presented in association with the Philippine Consulate General, the Philippine Department of Tourism and FLAGCOM.

The Bayanihan Philippine Art Project concludes at Blacktown Arts Centre with the final day of the exhibition Balik Bayan on Thursday 2 November 2017 timed for All Souls Day, a significant date in the Filipino cultural calendar.