In Her Hands: A Loom of Stories, seven women interlace memory, tradition, and female identity through multimedia works rooted in the language of weaving.
Across cultures and throughout history—from ancient Greece to the indigenous communities of our own archipelago—women have long been central to the art of weaving. While they’re not its only practitioners, their enduring association with the craft reflects traditional roles tied to creation, care, and continuity. Over time, artists have transformed weaving into a medium of reflection, expression, and reclamation. The group exhibition Her Hands: A Loom of Stories, part of the 37th edition of Conrad Manila’s Of Art and Wine series, continues this legacy with fresh interpretations.
The exhibit opening at Gallery C, located at Conrad Manila’s third level, was led by Elizabeth Sy, President of SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation; Cathy Nepomuceno, Senior Vice President for Operations of SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation; Mia Villanueva, President of the Philippine Textile Council; Adelaida Lim, President Emeritus of the Philippine Textile Council; Kaye Tinga, President of the Cultural Center of the Philippines; Lucky Ou, Conrad Manila’s General Manager, and four featured artists, including Kristine de Jesus, Anita del Rosario, Jane Ebarle, and Maria Salvador.
READ ALSO: “Art In Resonance” Returns With A Series Of Rare Tapestries By Federico Aguilar Alcuaz
About Her Hands: A Loom Of Stories
In collaboration with Space_Alt Contemporary gallery, Her Hands: A Loom of Stories features 34 works from seven female artists: Kristine de Jesus, Anita del Rosario, Jane Ebarle, Mia Go, Katrina Raimann, Anina Rubio, and Maria Salvador. The result is a vibrant, dynamic collection that’s tied together by a shared thread of tactility and craftsmanship.
Some works stay true to the art of weaving via process or technique, while others reference it in concept: representations of textiles through alternative materials or fabric-like patterns that evoke materiality even in a two-dimensional format. While every artist has a distinct style, what unifies their works is a sense of intricacy and interconnectedness.
The way one might enjoy a finely-woven tapestry, you begin appreciating the works at a distance, seeing the bigger and more cohesive picture. But you only start to understand the striking nuances as you step closer—smaller elements like the swirling evanescence of mother of pearl, wisps of thread-like paint, and fibers in swathes of yarn lending a sense of fullness to each piece.
More than being visually engaging, each work is a vessel of narratives, both on a micro and macro level. Traditional Filipino iconography, textiles, and fashion are clearly integrated into certain pieces, telling the story of a country through the eyes of its women. Yet beyond what’s visible are the personal journeys each artist imbues into their creative ethos and processes.
For instance, artist Kristine de Jesus transitioned from a two-decade corporate career to pursue full-time artistic work. Anita del Rosario applied her experience in jewelry design to create sculptural works that exude a graceful, distinctly Filipina image. Mia Go’s tapestries feel cinematic in color and form, echoing her experience in film production; the artist’s exploration of her fiber craft began as a conscious effort to enrich her children’s upbringing.
These works do not simply preserve tradition—they extend it, pulling new threads into an ever-expanding fabric of stories that continue to unfold with each generation of women making the art form entirely their own. Her Hands: A Loom of Stories reminds us that weaving is not just the act of making, but of constant becoming: each strand carrying a voice, and together, woven into wholeness.
“Her Hands: A Loom of Stories” runs until November 15, 2025 at Gallery C of Conrad Manila. All artworks are available for sale. For inquiries and more information, guests and art enthusiasts may contact +632 8833 9999 or email [email protected]. View the digital catalog here.
Photos by author.
