PRESS RELEASE

Philippine Embassy, Canberra

1 Moonah Place, Yarralumla, ACT 2600
www.philembassy.org.au    *Tel. No. 02-6273-2535*

15 October 2026, CANBERRA — The Philippine Embassy in Canberra joined the opening of Filipino-Australian artist Kris Ancog’s solo exhibition, Yearning to Breathe Free, at Aarwun Gallery in Nicholls in celebration of Museums and Galleries Month.

Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Sheila Marie Tario, together with Embassy personnel, attended the opening night, which brought together members of Canberra’s arts community and guests to view Ancog’s latest body of work.

Yearning to Breathe Free explores themes of displacement, resilience, renewal and the search for belonging. Drawing inspiration from the experiences of refugees seeking safety and rebuilding their lives in unfamiliar places, the exhibition reflects on the universal desire to find home. Mr. Ancog’s works combine influences from classical European painting with contemporary abstraction, creating atmospheric works centred on light, colour and movement. As a Filipino-Australian artist, Mr. Ancog’s work also reflects the growing contribution of Filipinos and Filipino-Australians to Australia’s cultural and creative landscape.

Yearning to Breathe Free is on display at Aarwun Gallery, Shop 11, Federation Square, O’Hanlon Place, Nicholls, ACT, until 08 November 2026.

The Museums and Galleries Month is being celebrated in October, pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 798, s. 19911, to highlight the role of museums and galleries in preserving the country’s cultural heritage and history. The observance recognizes that making cultural and art forms as well as historical heritage accessible to all is integral to nation building and necessary for shaping national destiny.

This year’s theme, “Bridging Divides, Preserving the Present for Tomorrow,” calls attention to museums and galleries as living spaces for cultural exchange and are made meaningful through the sharing of people’s histories, experiences, and narratives across generations and backgrounds. - END