‘Tayog-Tayog’ Explores Ilonggo Folklore, Mythology

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Iloilo’s rich cultural heritage takes center stage in Tayog-Tayog: The Ilonggo Imagination, an art exhibition that opened at Thrive Art Gallery, The Shops at Atria, Ayala Malls, Mandurriao.

The exhibit explores personal experiences, historical narratives, and indigenous cultural practices infused with fantastical elements drawn from folklore and mythology.

The Hiligaynon word “tayog” means “to fly off far,” while “tayog-tayog” colloquially refers to an “out-of-this-world” idea.

This linguistic starting point inspires the exhibition, which delves into the heights reached by Iloilo’s stories, from the Panay Sugidanun and local folklore to mythical creatures like the aswang, tayho, and kataw.

“Tayog-Tayog highlights how these narratives connect us to our shared reality and collective memory,” the gallery said in a statement.

Participating artists interpret these themes through surrealist traditions, blending them with contemporary and regional sensibilities.

The featured works challenge the boundaries of reality and fantasy, weaving the past and present with tangible and ephemeral elements.

The exhibit pays homage to surrealism, reimagining it through an Ilonggo lens that captures both the enigmatic and the uncanny.

Visitors can immerse themselves in works that breathe life into mythology while reinterpreting historical and family narratives passed down through generations.

The exhibition is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 1-7 PM, and admission is free.

Art enthusiasts can contact the gallery at +639171746766 or +639171537202, or via email at thriveartorg@gmail.com, for inquiries about the featured works.

With its blend of imagination and cultural roots, Tayog-Tayog offers a vibrant look at the enduring impact of Ilonggo folklore and its transformation into contemporary art.