The opening day of LINAHE: A Family Art Exhibition on May 10 drew in a warm and enthusiastic crowd to Gateway Gallery in Araneta City, as the Tiomico family launched their first-ever collective art exhibit — a celebration of legacy, creativity, and kinship through visual storytelling.
Themed “Rooted in Story, Grown with Art,” the exhibition features works by artists BK, Fritz, Merps, Mori, Kosmix Art, and Victor Tiomico. Their pieces, diverse in form and style, reflect not only personal journeys in art but also shared histories that tie them together as a family. Visitors were also treated to special tributes honoring the late Baki Tiomico and Marina S. Tiomico, whose memory continues to inspire the family’s artistic spirit.
The launch was marked by a heartfelt atmosphere — guests wandered through the gallery surrounded by striking paintings and installations, while pop-up displays of mini arts and crafts offered intimate glimpses into the artists’ creative processes. Light refreshments were served, allowing guests to linger, converse, and reflect on the stories behind the artworks.
At the center of the exhibit is Victor Tiomico, who shared how LINAHE was born out of a desire to honor their shared lineage. “Linahe is from the idea of lineage — it refers to the line of descent or ancestry from a common ancestor. It signifies the familial or ancestral line through which traits, traditions, or legacies are passed down from one generation to the next.”
He also reflected on how each artist in the family brings something unique to the table. “Dahil siguro sa’min pagkakaiba-iba ng art style, nagkaroon kami ng kanya-kanyang expertise. At masasabi ko lang na nagkakaroon kami ng magandang pagsasama-sama dahil ’di namin kailangang makipagkumpitensya para lang may umangat sa’min.”
(“Because of our different art styles, we each developed our own expertise. And I can say we work well together because there’s no need to compete for one to stand out.”)
Victor also shared his personal hope for what visitors will take away from the exhibit: “Gusto kong ma-experience nila na kahit gaano kahirap ang buhay, piliin pa rin natin hanapin kung saan tayo masaya… at ’wag matakot sa mga darating dahil may Diyos tayong gagabay sa’tin.”
(“I want them to feel that no matter how hard life gets, we should keep choosing what brings us joy… and not fear what’s to come, because we have a God who will guide us.”)
LINAHE ran until May 16, 2025, offering visitors a powerful and emotional journey through generations of art, memory, and meaning. The Tiomico family welcomed everyone to celebrate not just the visuals of their work, but the values and love that had shaped them.
