Xandrine, a contemporary Cebuano artist, opened her latest art exhibit, “Orientale” at Qube Gallery in Banilad, Cebu City, Cebu on June 6, 2026, presenting a collection of new works that reimagine traditional chinoiserie motifs through the lens of women’s empowerment.
An informed artist is an empowered artist. You are the creator, not just the commodity. While art is driven by passion, protecting that passion requires knowing your rights.
Xandrine
The exhibit showcases paintings inspired by decorative Eastern imagery often associated with prosperity, protection, and abundance.
Rather than treating women as ornamental figures within these visual traditions, Xandrine places them at the heart of every composition, transforming familiar symbols into narratives of strength, resilience, and identity.
The exhibition also marks another chapter in the artist’s evolving creative journey. The Cebuano artist has built a body of work that blends technical precision with personal storytelling, drawing inspiration from both her artistic practice and her experiences beyond the canvas.
Women and the symbols that surround them
At the center of Orientale are women depicted not as decorative additions but as active figures surrounded by symbols traditionally associated with Chinese and East Asian culture.
One of the exhibit’s standout works is Flamekeepers (2026), which portrays four women from different generations holding Chinese lanterns illuminated by a shared flame. The painting evokes continuity, heritage, and the passing of wisdom across generations, while emphasizing the enduring role of women as keepers of family and culture.
Another work, Mend (2026), depicts a woman quietly repairing a piece of cloth. Though simple in appearance, the painting reflects themes of care, restoration, and unseen labor — qualities often associated with women but rarely placed at the forefront of visual narratives.
Luan (2024) depicts a woman whose face is enveloped by a flock of vibrant mythological birds, creating a striking interplay between concealment and revelation. Inspired by the luan, a legendary bird in Chinese mythology often associated with harmony, virtue, and prosperity, the painting transforms the birds into both guardians and storytellers.
Throughout the exhibition, floral elements, birds, guardian figures, and other traditional motifs appear alongside female subjects. These symbols, once viewed primarily as decorative objects or representations of the “exotic East,” are reframed as extensions of women’s stories and lived experiences.
Orientale seeks to reinterpret these familiar images away from the Western gaze, giving new meaning to objects that have long been admired for their beauty but not always understood for their cultural significance.
The result is a collection where women no longer stand at the edges of the frame. Instead, they command attention, becoming the focal point of stories rooted in both tradition and contemporary realities.
“In my role as an artist, I always hope to empower other artists, to encourage them to believe in their vision. Because I believe that every artist has a unique expression to bring to the table,” Xandrine said.
Advocacy beyond the artistic canvas
For Xandrine, Orientale is not only about celebrating women through art, it also reflects her broader advocacy for artists and creatives.
A law student alongside her artistic career, she shared that part of her mission is helping push for legislation that would better protect artists and educate them about their rights.
“I’m actually pushing for an artist bill. I’m helping push for an artist bill so that artists are informed of their rights, and then they’re protected and their art is encouraged,” she said.
Beyond her advocacy, Xandrine’s ultimate hope is that visitors leave the gallery with a renewed appreciation for art’s ability to connect people to their emotions and humanity.
“For my ideal takeaway for my visitors today, I just want them to resonate with the pieces,” she said. “I hope that the artworks move something in their hearts and it reminds them to be more human and to take time to do creative endeavors because it is essential to not losing your heart or your humanity.”
Surrounded by symbols of prosperity, protection, and abundance, from florals and birds to guardian figures and lanterns, women in Xandrine’s artworks emerge as central figures whose stories, labor, and resilience give new meaning to these familiar motifs.
Through these, she offers a reminder that tradition is not fixed; it can be revisited, reinterpreted, and reshaped to reflect contemporary voices while honoring its cultural roots.
The same belief extends beyond her canvases and into her advocacy for fellow creatives.
As Xandrine puts it, “An informed artist is an empowered artist. You are the creator, not just the commodity. While art is driven by passion, protecting that passion requires knowing your rights.”
Guests can visit Orientale at Qube Gallery, Banilad, Cebu City, Cebu until June 27, 2026.
See more moments through our full coverage on CDN Digital Facebook.
