A group exhibition titled "This Discomfort Is Not Resentment" brings together seven Cebuano artists to explore the complex question of what it means to stay in a place where making art is difficult. Curated by Jude Crisostomo, known as Monochaotic, the show opened on May 16, 2026, at Tea + Gallery in Cebu City.
Artists Featured
The exhibition features works by Bart Bombard, Golda King, Mia Go, Ronyel Compra, Jan Sunday, and Monochaotic himself. Each artist brings a unique perspective, drawing from their experiences within Cebu's contemporary art scene.
Personal Dilemma
Monochaotic shared that the exhibition grew from his own struggle after returning from working in London. "For a long time, I was asking myself whether to stay or leave," he said. "Eventually, I decided to stay and make do with what I have here."
Rather than portraying discomfort as bitterness, the show treats it as a productive tension—the unease that comes with choosing to remain in a challenging environment. "Whether we stay or leave, that discomfort is always there," Crisostomo explained. "This show celebrates those who stay and acknowledges those who left."
Artists' Balancing Act
Many of the participating artists balance their creative practice with other jobs or businesses. "I find it very powerful when people continue to make art even when it's not their full-time work," Crisostomo noted.
Centerpiece: The Monobloc Chair
Monochaotic's centerpiece artwork features the white monobloc chair, a ubiquitous item in Filipino homes, schools, and government offices. Cheap, practical, and nearly impossible to avoid, the chair becomes a metaphor for the kinds of discomfort people learn to accept. "It's uncomfortable, but we've all lived with it," he said.
The artist photographed monobloc chairs in various settings around Cebu, then stitched and altered the images. For Monochaotic, the plastic seat reflects both everyday Filipino life and the normalization of unease.
Exhibition Venue
Tea + Gallery, which combines a gallery and tea shop, was opened two years ago by Alexa Crisostomo and Angel Tudtud. It has since become a welcoming space for emerging and established artists alike. The exhibition ran until Saturday, May 23.
