Luxury is often equated with excess. But the newest clinic of CARA Laser Skin Care in Shangri-La Plaza offers a gentler alternative—one that centers on ease, authenticity, and emotional wellbeing. Designed by Barchan + Architecture, the space responds with a spatial language that reimagines luxury not as exclusivity, but as the freedom to feel comfortable […]
“III. Self-Medicate: Indulge”: Pat Frades’ New Fungi-Filled Exhibit
Pat Frades pampers the senses during her exhibition at Galerie Stephanie, evoking an Alice in Wonderland sense of whimsy through her works. In her continued exploration of the senses, the artist creates a new immersive world focused on the idea of taste.
III. Self-Medicate: Indulge is the third exhibit of Frades’ Self-Medicate series. These exhibits, which will number five in all when finished, gives Frades free reign to explore the senses in relation to her interest in mushrooms and fungi. Past exhibits Allure and Breathe In explored the senses of sight and smell, respectively.
Indulge, meanwhile, explores the sense of taste. It fixates on the symbiotic togetherness of the nature around us, and illustrates that point through the usage of mushrooms in different approaches in the exhibit. Fungi and mushrooms are critical for our environment to thrive, and Frades uses her art in this exhibit to highlight its beauty beyond these functions.
Dining in Fungus
The set-up for the exhibit welcomes visitors to a feast of the senses. Pat Frades uses a “pastel and candy-colored palette” for the aesthetic of the mushrooms and other fungi. It makes them seem more wonderful, in a way, emanating a child-like vibe that encourages exploration.
The central work for Indulge is a white table filled with plants, leaves, and busts with blooming mushrooms on them. Frades worked on the head sculptures, which use strangely pleasant and neutral facial expressions even as mushrooms literally crack open through their face.
At the head of the table sits a mannequin whose whole face is covered in different types of fungi. The design is eerily close to the zombified people in The Last of Us, but it doesn’t evoke the same sense of fear. The pastel color scheme of the mushrooms provides an approachableness to the work, and the mannequin sits in a mannered way that relaxes the visitors.
Other mannequins with faces covered in mushroom and fungi litter the exhibit. These showcase the collaborative works between Frades and costume designer KC Contrevida. They created clothes “made from kombucha’s symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast, as well as from tea bags.”
Symbiotic Works
For III. Self-Medicate: Indulge, the artist worked with Chef Iyay Ignacio of Mouldy Blooms to create some edible works that allow viewers to literally “taste the work in front of them.” In its most Alice in Wonderland choice, they laid out the food on the table in a mushroom-shaped bowl. The layout appeals to our sense of curiosity, a truly tempting invitation to indulge in the food in front of you.
Beyond the central table, Pat Frades fills this mushroom utopia with assortments of hues which complement the works. On the wall are multiple paintings where she makes the mushroom blooms look like flowers floating in water.
It pushes for a sense of serenity through association, reminding us that mushrooms work similarly to flowers in function, and thus deserve to be seen in the same sense of beauty and awe that we see their more delicate plant counterparts.
III. Self-Medicate: Indulge really immerses visitors to a new perspective of a world we don’t necessarily think about. Pat Frades doesn’t just show us a part of an environment that’s largely underground; the artist shows us the beauty which exists within the works being showcased.
Related reading: Galerie Stephanie Debuts Two New Exhibits on Nature and City Life
Ceramic art is a practice that spans centuries, a combination of functionality and stylistic creativity that has been passed down for generations. Whether merely decorative or serving a bigger purpose in the household, ceramics have existed for as long as civilization has in different forms within the community. This long cultural history especially exists for […]
BluPrint marked a significant milestone for the Philippine design community. The country’s leading authority in architecture and design officially launched its newest seminal publication, “Design Conversations.” Hosted at VCDC M Residences in Katipunan, the event was a vibrant gathering of the nation’s foremost architects, designers, industry leaders, and esteemed guests, all coming together to celebrate […]
The dream of owning a home is a cherished aspiration. Yet the path can seem complex in today’s dynamic real estate landscape. Many prospective buyers weigh concerns about market shifts and significant upfront costs. However, 2025 presents a uniquely favorable window. Industry experts forecast positive trends and innovative solutions that make it easier than ever […]
The right materials can transform a room, making it feel more spacious, luxurious, and inviting. Coverlam, by Spanish manufacturer Grespania, allows you to achieve this without compromising performance or aesthetics. Their revolutionary range of large-format, ultra-thin technical stone slabs delivers both exceptional durability and beauty, offering endless possibilities for your home. For nearly 50 years, […]
For over three decades, Kuysen has been the exclusive gateway for discerning Filipinos to experience the world-renowned innovation of AXOR. This enduring partnership brings the pinnacle of bathroom and kitchen design to the Philippines, and the latest marvel in this legacy is the AXOR ShowerSelect ID – a system that redefines the shower experience through […]
Download this month's BLUPRINT magazine digital copy from:
Subscribe via [email protected]