PARIS, France – Under the majestic restored Nave of the Grand Palais in Paris, France, the Philippines will make its much-anticipated debut at the Révélations 2025, the international biennial for fine craft and contemporary creation, taking place from 21 May to 25 May. As the Grand Palais reopens its doors to the global creative community with approximately 37,000 visitors expected, the Philippines is honored to unveil the country’s finest contemporary crafts and designs at the prestigious event.

Organized by Ateliers d’Art de France, Révélations 2025 will gather over 500 of the world’s most exceptional designers and craftspeople, presenting diverse and unique works in fields such as ceramic, glass, textiles, wood, and metal. This seventh edition shines a spotlight on the signature and backbone of the biennial— “Le Banquet”, a curated international exhibition where new expressions and fresh looks of a hundred bold pieces from 12 participating countries and organizations are presented. Italy takes center stage as the Country of Honor, alongside Quebec, the Nation of Honor from the previous edition, and South Korea. Visitors are invited to discover unseen pieces from countries new to the biennial including Greece, Georgia, Ireland, Brazil, Ibero- America (Cuba, Columbia, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru), and Overseas Territories (Polynesia and French Carribean). For their first participation in the biennial, Révélations is casting the spotlight on three (03) South- East Asian countries: Malaysia (supported by Society Atelier Sarawak), Bangladesh (supported by the Durjoy Bangladesh Foundation) and the Philippines (supported by the Design Center of the Philippines).

Debuting under the banner “dans l’espirit de l’asrtisan- créateur (In the spirit of the artisan-designer),” the country’s inaugural presence at Révélations marks a major milestone in its creative journey as it joins 35 other nations in a global exchange of culture, history, and an evolving dialogue between tradition and innovation.

At the heart of the Philippine exhibition is a curatorial narrative that highlights the Philippines’ deep connection with nature and human ingenuity. As the curator notes, “Each object breathes the spirit of the land and seas of the Philippines and captures an intimate dialogue between material and maker.” The Banquet of the Philippines invites not only aesthetic appreciation but also challenges the conventional understanding of craft by sparking curiosity, exploration, and reinterpretation of tradition.

Curated by Milo Naval, with approval from Le Banquet curator Romain Juilha, the exhibition will feature six outstanding pieces from eight renowned Filipino designers that reflect the interconnection of nature, culture, and contemporary design:

Leeroy New and Christina Gaston worked with the women weavers of Sitio Melancholy, Cadiz, Negros Occiental in creating Hilaw, Layâ (Unripe, Withered), a sculptural piece made of cogon grass, abaca, wax thread, and bamboo beads. Inspired by the cycle of life, the piece explores the balance between growth and natural degradation.

Maricris and Jaime Brias’ Heart of Abaca honors the T’boli tradition of T’nalak weaving, layering T’nalak strips and abaca dipped in banana pulp into a form that grows upward like a flower, and by working with the T’boli artisans in their livelihood center. The piece mirrors nature’s organic growth, symbolizing continuity and cultural evolution.

Jude Tiotuico, in collaboration with Olivia d’Aboville and Rurungan sa Tubod Foundation, creates Kaleidoscope, a sculpture of hammered steel and shibori-dyed silk. It captures papillons in motion, flowing together in indigo hues between light and shadow—a reflection of magic and strength of community in the flow of life.

Milo Naval’s untitled piece uses seashells and abaca in its rawest form, allowing its innate beauty and resilience to speak of heritage, strength, and transformation. The piece is in collaboration with Shelmed Cottage Treasures.

Neil Felipp shares Constellation, a story of an unreciprocated love told through a sculpture made of mother- of-pearl, white cabebe shell, white abalone shell, and brass using 3D technology and shell inlay techniques from Cebu.

Olivia d’Aboville presents Raffia Flowers, made with handwoven raffia polyester textiles from Cebu Interlace, pleating it and creating circular conic shapes resembling flowers. Industria Edition collaborated in creating the metal stems.

For the high-resolution photos of the designs: https://tinyurl.com/RevelationsPhilBanquetPhotos

The Philippines’ participation at the Révélations is led by the DTI-Design Center of the Philippines, whose DNA is rooted in the spirit of the artisan-designer. It recognizes the Philippines as a nation of makers, crafters, and creators, who use their minds, hands, and hearts to create new ideas, objects, images, experiences, and systems.

“This participation is aligned with our strategic priority of promoting Philippine design locally and globally with a deep narrative rooted in craft traditions and know how,” shares DTI-Design Center Executive Director Maria Rita

O. Matute. “We approach this with a very conscious intention and attention towards excellence, particularly the pursuit of craft and design excellence.” Matute further emphasized that the exhibition is “not simply meant to let the global audience recognize and acknowledge Philippine fine crafts and creators but also to show Philippine artisan-designers a new way of engaging with a global market and a new way of creating.”

This debut affirms the DTI-Design Center’s commitment to championing the next generation of artisan-designers while also serving as an avenue for market expansion, economic opportunities, and stronger global connections for local businesses and artisan communities.

Visitors are invited to experience the Philippine banquet up close at the historic Grand Palais and explore the depth and diversity of Filipino craftsmanship.

To learn more about the Philippine banquet at the Révélations, visit this link: https://bit.ly/PHLBanquet_RevelationsBiennial or scan the QR code:

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About the Design Center of the Philippines

The Design Center of the Philippines is an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) mandated to promote design as a problem-solving tool and catalyst for positive change. In 2013, the Design Center of the Philippines further enhanced its role in the development of the design industry and the creative economy through the Philippine Design Competitiveness Act of 2013 (also known as Republic Act 10557), expanding the agency’s mandate in promoting design to improve the creative branding ♦

Date of Release: 20 May 2025

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