The Ayala Way Vol. 5 No. 98

From Madrid to Manila, Zóbel: The Future of the Past

Following its highly acclaimed run at Museo Nacional del Prado in Madrid where it attracted 80,000 visitors in 2022, the multimedia exhibition Zóbel: The Future of the Past premiered in Asia at Ayala Museum on September 14. The show was presented on the occasion of the museum’s 50th anniversary, Zóbel’s birth centenary, and Ayala Corporation’s 190th anniversary.

Co-curated by Felipe Pereda, the Fernando Zóbel de Ayala Professor of Spanish Art at Harvard University, and Manuel Fontán del Junco, director of museums and exhibitions at Fundación Juan March, the exhibition showcases Zóbel’s ability to bridge artistic traditions across Asia, America, and Europe. The Manila exhibition features over 200 works, including never-before-seen sketchbooks, and explores Zóbel’s artistic process and his influence on modern art.

The exhibition, which runs until January 26, 2025, is supported by the US and Spanish Embassies in the Philippines and is also made possible through a partnership with BPI.

Spanish Ambassador Miguel Utray Delgado, US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson, exhibition co-curator Manuel Fontán del Junco, Ayala Foundation Chairman Fernando Zobel de Ayala, Ayala Museum Senior Director Mariles Gustilo, and Ayala Foundation President Tony Lambino at a preview of Zóbel: The Future of the Past

Spanish Ambassador Miguel Utray Delgado, US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson, exhibition co-curator Manuel Fontán del Junco, Ayala Foundation Chairman Fernando Zobel de Ayala, Ayala Museum Senior Director Mariles Gustilo, and Ayala Foundation President Tony Lambino at a preview of Zóbel: The Future of the Past

(From left) Mariles Gustilo and Jaime Laya; Patxi Elizalde, Sofia Zobel Elizalde, and Alvaro Padilla; Bianca Zobel and ALI SVP for Leasing and Hospitality Mariana Zobel de Ayala; Monica Tiosejo, Bea Zobel Jr., Paloma Urquijo, and Miguel Cortez Hernandez

(From left) Mariles Gustilo and Jaime Laya; Patxi Elizalde, Sofia Zobel Elizalde, and Alvaro Padilla; Bianca Zobel and ALI SVP for Leasing and Hospitality Mariana Zobel de Ayala; Monica Tiosejo, Bea Zobel Jr., Paloma Urquijo, and Miguel Cortez Hernandez

Special previews were also held for media and Ayala group employees prior to the public opening on September 14.

Special previews were also held for media and Ayala group employees prior to the public opening on September 14.

Exhibition designer Pedro Feduchi and Manuel Fontán del Junco of Fundación Juan March; behind them is a photograph of Fernando Zóbel at the Museo de Arte Abstracto Español, which he founded in Cuenca, Spain.

Exhibition designer Pedro Feduchi and Manuel Fontán del Junco of Fundación Juan March; behind them is a photograph of Fernando Zóbel at the Museo de Arte Abstracto Español, which he founded in Cuenca, Spain.

Historian Ambeth Ocampo, Evelyn Forbes, Lisa Guerrero Nakpil, Ditas Samson, and AFI Senior Director for Programs Joanna Duarte

Historian Ambeth Ocampo, Evelyn Forbes, Lisa Guerrero Nakpil, Ditas Samson, and AFI Senior Director for Programs Joanna Duarte

About the author

Knowledge Management (1)

AC Knowledge Management is responsible for enterprise content management, archives management, and the development of knowledge products and services in Ayala. KM produces books on corporate history and business developments and publishes the groupwide internal communications channel, The Ayala Way.