I Thought the Streets Were Paved with Gold is the first solo exhibition in the Middle East of works by late Philippine-American artist Pacita Abad.
The show brings together exuberant signature works – from her colorful trapunto embroideries to major paintings, with a focus on four main bodies of work including Masks and Spirits series (1979 - 1991), the Immigrant Experience (1983-1995), the Door to Life series (1998-2003) and abstract works (1985-2002) – that together span abstraction to social realism, taking the exhibition visitor on a compelling journey from Manila to Hong Kong, via New York, Sanaa and beyond.
The exhibition is accompanied by a public programme, publication and a range of free Tagalog resources online.
Read Exhibition Guides: English - Arabic - Tagalog
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Spider's web, 1985Acrylic, cotton yarn, plastic buttons on stitched and padded canvas70 x 104 in
178 x 264 cm -
Liquid experience, 1985Oil, mirrors on stitched and padded canvas59 x 120 in
150 x 305 cm -
Filipinas in Hong Kong, 1995Acrylic on stitched and padded canvas106 x 118 in
269 x 300 cm -
From Doro Wat to sushi and chicken wings and tings, 1991Acrylic, oil, painted canvas, plastic buttons, beads on stitched and padded canvas96 x 69 in
244 x 175 cm -
I thought the streets were paved with gold, 1991Acrylic, oil, wood bristle, painted canvas, painted cloth on stitched and padded canvas94 x 68 in
239 x 173 cm -
The village where I came from, 1991Acrylic, oil, painted cloth on stitched and padded canvas96 x 68 in
244 x 173 cm -
You have to blend in, before you stand out, 1995Oil, painted cloth, sequins, buttons on stitched and padded canvas116 x 117 in
295 x 297 cm -
African Mephisto, 1981Acrylic, rick rack ribbons, tie dyed cloth, painted cloth on stitched and padded canvas106 x 71 in
269 x 180 cm -
Bacongo VIII, 1990Acrylic, cowrie shells, plastic buttons, mirrors stitched on silk screened, padded canvas102 x 59 in
259 x 150 cm -
African mask (Kongo), 1990Acrylic, colored beads, shells, handwoven yarn, padded cloth, painted canvas stitched on cloth104 x 69 in
264 x 175 cm -
Kaunga, 1983Acrylic, oil, cowrie shells, buttons stitched on padded canvas86 x 67 in
218 x 170 cm -
Door connects me to the greatest happiness I have known, 1999Oil, painted cloth, buttons stitched on padded canvas63 x 39 in
160 x 100 cm -
Life in the margins, 2002Oil, printed cloth, painted cloth stitched on canvas106 x 60 in
269 x 152 cm -
Honey and Saffron, 2000Oil, mirrors stitched on canvas12 x 12 in
30 x 30 cm -
Shifting daylight, 1998
Oil, painted batik cloth stitched on canvas
12 x 12 in
30 x 30 cm -
Encounter, 1998
Oil, painted dyed canvas stitched on canvas
12 x 12 in
30 x 30 cm -
Entrance to al-Haima, 1998
Oil, painted canvas stitched on canvas
12 x 12 in
30 x 30 cm -
Blue and evasive, 1998
Oil, painted cloth stitched on canvas12 x 12 in
30 x 30 cm
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Pacita Abad
Rahel Aima, Artforum, February 10, 2023 This link opens in a new tab. -
Pacita Abad: World Citizen
Dorian Batycka, Ocula, November 24, 2021 This link opens in a new tab. -
Exhibition: I thought the streets were paved with gold
Staff Writer, Visit Dubai, September 15, 2021 This link opens in a new tab. -
Late Filipina artist Pacita Abad receives first solo exhibition in Middle East
Staff Writer, Esquire Middle East, September 13, 2021 This link opens in a new tab.
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Artistic eyes reading the Philippines
Nouf Al Mousa, Al-Ittihad, September 13, 2021 This link opens in a new tab. -
"The streets are paved with gold” in Dubai, travels and arts that cross countries and cultures
Rasha Abdel Moneim, Al Bayan, September 12, 2021 This link opens in a new tab. -
Pacita Abad exhibition on view in Dubai
Staff Writer, Rappler, September 9, 2021 This link opens in a new tab. -
Art season back in full swing - 14 exhibitions to see this September in the UAE
Alexandra Chaves, Arts & Culture, September 2, 2021 This link opens in a new tab.
