November 26, 2025 saw the opening of Anihan* (meaning Harvest), the latest collection of Rice Paintings by Hermisanto.
The singular artist who uses ‘Palay’ or unhusked rice as his medium of expression, it is a style that has become his signature. This innovative choice has earned him recognition as a pioneering rice artist in Asia, setting him apart in the art world with his distinctive and sustainable approach. Reflecting on his roots as a Filipino, his works are an expression of the very life source, culture, and labor that drive social continuity, all beginning with a single grain of rice.
Advocating for environmental sustainability and resourcefulness, his pieces are composed of rice placed in clusters that build a dense texture, while other grains stand alone to add a soft accent and a measured balance across the canvas. Through this process, he transforms a humble staple into a tactile narrative, one that honors the hands that cultivate the fields and the traditions carried through harvest. Each work becomes both tribute and reminder, rounding viewers in the quiet power of what sustains us.
About the Artist:
Hermisanto’s artistic journey has been a rich exploration of diverse mediums and creative expressions. His path began during his time as a Fine Arts student at the University of the Philippines, where he laid the foundation for his future endeavors.
Over the course of more than fifty years, Hermisanto has evolved into a seasoned artist, continually pushing the boundaries of his art and craft. In 2007, he discovered a unique and comforting medium in palay, or unhusked rice, which has since become his signature.
There is a time to plant and a time to harvest. His rice artworks carry this cycle within them, each piece shaped by patience and steady hands. Like the farmer who nurtures his fields despite uncertain weather, his creative ethos is to persevere through adversities, believing that every hardship contributes to the eventual harvest of meaning and form.
“Anihan” reflects his Filipino roots and the cultural significance of rice as a life source. His works advocate for environmental sustainability by using rice to create dense textures and soft accents, transforming the staple into a tactile narrative. Each piece serves as a tribute to the hands that cultivate the fields and the traditions of harvest, grounding viewers in the quiet power of sustenance.
Here is a sampling of some of his works of art:
Hermisanto is a multimedia artist best known for his experimental art pieces using unhusked rice or “palay”. An alumnus of the University of Philippines College of Fine Arts, his earlier works consisted of installation, performance and conceptual art. He has exhibited both locally and internationally, with his most recent exhibitions being “Talon ni Hermisanto” (Ricefield of Hermisanto) held at NCCA Gallery, Intramuros, Manila in 2019 and “Butil, Buhay, Sining at Kulay”, presented at PhilRice, Munoz City, Nueva Ecija in 2022.
He relates that his practice of art odes to the patience and endurance manifested by the real heroes of Filipino society who, despite the ever-escalating precarity of their lifeways, continue to strive forward and beyond: “Like the multitude of Filipino farmers waking up early to go to their rice fields, I find the break of day, mostly at around four in the morning, as the powerful and convenient time to create and work on my rice paintings.”
Hermisanto with some artists and friends.
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Kapitolyo Art Space. Where contemporary art transcends boundaries. A contemporary art haven committed to providing a fresh perspective on artistic expression. The gallery is not bound by a specific aesthetic but open to the broad spectrum of contemporary art. It is a gallery dedicated to supporting emerging artists from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, amplifying their voices and fostering a sense of community. Located in 23 West Capitol Drive, Kapitolyo, Pasig, open daily 10 AM until 7 PM. Come visit and see Hermisanto’s new Collection of Rice Paintings on display.
*”Anihan” is a Filipino word that means “harvest” or “harvest time”. The term is often used to describe the season when crops are gathered and is the name for various festivals celebrated in the Philippines to give thanks for a bountiful harvest. In agriculture it refers to the time of reaping crops, such as rice.