MAKATI CITY — The Yuchengco Museum is inviting art enthusiasts to witness an artistic journey still taking shape through “Art–In–Progress,” a solo exhibition by self-taught artist Marco Yuchengco Santos, also known as MYSAN. Currently displayed at the museum's 3F Bridgeway Gallery, the exhibition presents a series of works that reflect Santos' continuing exploration of form, emotion, absence, and expression. Organized into chapters, the exhibition follows the gradual development of Santos' artistic practice, with each section revealing new approaches to materials and creative expression. Currently featured is Chapter 2, where subtle shades of crimson red and deep brown begin to break through the predominantly monochromatic aesthetic.
From Engineer and Entrepreneur to Artist
Santos describes himself as a “work in progress,” a fitting description for an artist whose creative practice continues to evolve. Before pursuing art, he worked as an engineer and spent nearly three decades as an entrepreneur. His artistic journey began unexpectedly at the age of 53. During the pandemic, an experiment involving old gin bottles, paint cans, and a blowtorch introduced him to a new form of creative expression. What began as an experiment eventually developed into a serious artistic practice. Since then, Santos has explored various materials, including acrylic, wood, and canvas. Rather than simply treating these materials as tools, he allows their individual characteristics and reactions to influence how each artwork develops.
An Artistic Practice Built in Chapters
“Art–In–Progress” documents Santos' development through a series of chapters. The first, “Chapter 1: Black and White,” reduced his visual language to its most basic elements, allowing texture, movement, and gesture to become more pronounced without the presence of color. Chapter 2 represents another stage in this evolution. Forms and ideas begin to interact more closely, with shapes and movements connecting to create a more unified visual vocabulary. Santos' willingness to experiment has also become a defining feature of his work. Techniques such as blowtorching, punching, and intentionally burning parts of his pieces have become recognizable elements of his artistic process. Instead of concealing imperfections, he allows cracks, reactions, and unexpected changes in the material to remain visible.
Where Materials Become Part of the Artwork
One of the notable pieces in the exhibition is “Underwater Volcano” (2024), created using wood, acrylic, and paint and belonging to the collection of Tara Santos. The artwork uses a striking contrast between black and white, with the dark forms suggesting the movement and flow of lava while disrupting the purity of the white surface. This willingness to let materials react naturally is central to Santos' creative philosophy. For him, cracks, impurities, oxidation, and other unexpected effects are not defects but essential components of the finished artwork. Other works on display include “Punctured Reality,” “Decadent Decay,” “Thermal Mess,” and “Oxidized Core.” These pieces further demonstrate his experimental use of blowtorching and natural oxidation, highlighting the unpredictable processes that contribute to his distinctive visual style.
Visit the Exhibition
“Art–In–Progress” by Marco Y. Santos will remain on view at the 3F Bridgeway Gallery of the Yuchengco Museum until September 19, 2026. The exhibition is presented alongside other ongoing shows, including Philippine Masters, works by Angelito Antonio and Norma Belleza, and the Yuchengco Group of Companies' collection of Asian Art Prints. The Yuchengco Museum is located at RCBC Plaza, corner of Ayala Avenue and Senator Gil J. Puyat Avenue, Makati City. It is open Monday to Saturday, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and closed on Sundays. Admission fees apply, with discounts offered to students, teachers, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities.
