A floating platform made of black containers supports a wooden surface with two green crates, a white bucket, a metal tin, black and red plastic stools, and a large blue umbrella with "CRUX" text, set in a bare, white room.

Mark Salvatus Open Studio

Join artist-in-residence Mark Salvatus for an Open Studio presenting research and works-in-progress developed during his month-long residency at Studio Voltaire. The artist will be present to share insights into his process and discuss the ideas behind his work.

During his residency, Salvatus will develop the project Alternating Currents, which explores Filipino writer and revolutionary José Rizal’s time at the British Museum between 1888 and 1889. Salvatus aims to revive the work Rizal began in London, proposing a contemporary, speculative model for Philippine Studies rooted in decolonial methods.

Drawing from onsite research at the British Museum and influenced by Patrick D. Flores’ concept of “alternating” worldviews, Salvatus seeks to create a centre for Philippine Studies that navigates between disparate histories, sites and potential futures.

  1. Mark Salvatus (b. 1980, Lucban, Philippines) is a Filipino artist residing in Manila. Salvatus’ exhibitions include the Philippine Pavilion, Venice Art Biennale, Italy, 2024; and Venice Architecture Biennale, Italy, 2016; Asian Art Biennial, Taichung, Taiwan, 2021; 2nd Lahore Biennale, Pakistan, 2020; Sharjah Biennale, United Arab Emirates, 2019; the 3rd Singapore Biennale, 2011; and the PCAN Pavilion at Gwangju Biennale, Republic of Korea, 2018. Salvatus's work has also been exhibited at institutions including MMCA, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Mori Art Museum, Tokyo, Japan; Kyoto Art Center, Japan; ISCP, New York, United States; Jameel Art Center, Dubai, United Arab Emirates; and Kunstraum Kreuzberg/Bethanien, Berlin, Germany.

    Salvatus co-founded Load na Dito in 2016 with Mayumi Hirano, a curatorial and research initiative based in Manila. Their recent project was presented at the 1st Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial, United Arab Emirates, in 2024.

  2. If you have any questions or need assistance with your visit, please feel welcome to contact us at +44 (0) 20 7622 1294 or access@studiovoltaire.org. Read Studio Voltaire's full access information here.

  3. Mark Salvatus, C_rafts, 2011. Image courtesy of the artist.

Artist Mark Salvatus: a man with short dark hair and a trimmed beard wears a patterned short-sleeve shirt, standing with his hands in his pockets. He looks to the side. Behind him are large industrial air-conditioning units and a concrete wall, lit neutrally.

Mark Salvatus Residency

Residency