Art Patron Profile: The Ayala Group

According to an article from Primer, the story of Ayala started in 1834 when he created a distillery with his partner entrepreneur Domingo Roxas, an agribusiness company that grew and became popular when they started exporting products to Europe. Many years later, Ayala became engaged in banking and real estate and acquired more properties in BPO, power and transport infrastructure, Globe telecommunication, and water distribution through Manila Water, in which then the family's wealth continues to grow and contributes to the country’s economy. Moreover, Ayala Foundation was part of the Ayalas project committed to community development, and Ayala Museum was established in 1967 to promote art and culture in our country. It was then Ayala become an art patron that supports artists and donate numerous artworks that he has acquired from his wealth. Today, it boasts one of the best collections of Philippine art pioneers as well as one of the most extensive collections of books and other materials on history, art, and social sciences through its Filipinas Heritage Library. But is the public has full access to these artworks? 

The essay “176 Gifts/176 Dispossessions” points out that each artwork being exhibited in a gallery or museum is sponsored by those corporations that support the artists who create the piece. From the essay statement, “More than a show of the work of artists, it is a show of the work of philanthropists.” Since each work displayed has been supported by art patrons, not only the artist is acknowledged for his work but also the philanthropist. 

If big corporations are engaging in exploitation, mainly because they are driven to improve their business and to serve people, then they do not really help in improving the lives of many but only some and they are the ones that gain all the benefits, aligned with their vision of “enhancing land and enriching lives for more people” there must be no unequal treatment and dispossessions. 

References:

https://www.tatlerasia.com/power-purpose/wealth/the-power-the-glory

https://openspace.sfmoma.org/2019/02/176-gifts-176-dispossessions/