If Trees Could Talk International Art Biennale

16/07/2026

📣 Museum Advisory

The Tumba-Tumba Children's Museum of Philippine Art will be temporarily closed until further notice.

For questions or concerns, please email [email protected] 💌🌱

29/06/2026

A friendly reminder that starting July 15, 2026, the Tumba-Tumba Children's Museum of Philippine Art will be on an appointment-only basis. We recommend that interested guests book at least two (2) days before their planned trip. Schedule your visit at bit.ly/TreesBiennale2026 — we can't wait to see you there!

For inquiries, email [email protected] 🌱

16/06/2026

The If Trees Could Talk International Art Biennale has always been envisioned to go beyond the Philippines. For its second edition, Conversations Across Roots and Borders, the biennale is proud to share satellite partners and exhibits from different parts of the world!

Through multisensory exhibitions and art programs, these artists and collectives have responded to the biennale’s question in ways distinct to their communities and contexts. “Rhizomatic Echoes” by SUAVEART in Shanghai moves away from putting humans at the center of the story, choosing instead to focus on non-human life. If Trees Could Talk Devon in the United Kingdom presents a variety of art workshops, talks, and public installations all through July. In Japan, artists from the Yamabiko Artist Apartment and gallery.studio.cafe_newroll offer their own interpretations on humanity’s relationship with trees and nature.

Each exhibit, workshop, talk, and gathering is an invitation to reflect on our unbreakable bond with the natural world. Swipe to see if there's a festival near you →

Visit iftreescouldtalk.art/conversations for more.

11/06/2026

What do trees mean to you?

Are they a sanctuary? A symbol of hope? Are they only important because we make use of them?

Artists from CANVAS's November 2025 Art4Development banner show offer their own reflections on the role that trees play in the lives of Filipinos, and what humanity does to them in return.

Join the conversation. Tell us in the comments why trees matter — to you, to your neighbor, to the world.

🌳 The 2nd If Trees Could Talk International Art Biennale
🗓️ February – July 2026
🖥️ iftreescouldtalk.art

10/06/2026

Join us on July 4! Register at bit.ly/iftreesprintmaking 🌱

07/06/2026

If trees could talk, what would they say?

In November 2025, following intense rainfall brought about by Typhoon Senyar, catastrophic flash floods on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia left over 900 people dead and more than 200 people missing. Exacerbated by deforestation and the worsening effects of climate change, the intense rains also submerged other parts of Southeast Asia, including Thailand and Malaysia.

Until today, the memory of that week in November remains fresh in the consciousness and daily lives of Indonesians, but their resilience and hope reign even stronger. In these postcards, several artists relate their experiences, longings, and heartaches following the floods that devastated their country.

Cozanofal says: “If trees could speak, perhaps they would say, ‘Protect me, care for me, and I will do the same for you.’ This image portrays trees not merely as static objects that are often overlooked, but as sincere entities that serve as sources of life, protection, and comfort.”

15-year-old Varsha wrote: “Nature’s tears turns into floods consisting of logs from the illegal logging; coming back again to the theme of If Trees Could Talk, I think trees can’t even talk anymore—they will just cry.”

For Rini, trees are forever connected to our own survival. “I’m your mother, who gives you air, water, food, and shelter. I’m the mother who gives you life, please come home…”

Explore the digital gallery of postcards at iftreescouldtalk.art or share your own. Email yours to [email protected] 🌱

05/06/2026

When trees are cut down for the sake of development and urbanization, who gets hurt in the process?

It's the animals whose homes, replaced by steel and concrete, continue to vanish and cause their populations to dwindle. It's us, whose daily lives are disrupted and devastated by worsening environmental disasters, which range from severe floods to extreme heat. It's our children, who can no longer play among the trees.

For World Environment Day, we present postcards by artists all over the world that show the interconnectedness of humanity, the environment, and all those who dwell in it.

Explore the rest of the postcards at our digital gallery on iftreescouldtalk.art 🌱

18/05/2026

Happy International Museum Day!

In Ibaan, Batangas, on a sprawling piece of land lined with mango trees, a children’s museum is coming to life.

The Tumba-Tumba Children’s Museum of Philippine Art is a major initiative of the Center of Art, New Ventures, and Sustainable Development (CANVAS), envisioned to showcase and promote child-friendly Philippine art as a medium to encourage a love for books, and to encourage discussion and reflection on the key issues of our times.

As the home of the If Trees Could Talk International Art Biennale, Tumba-Tumba is open to visitors every weekend, Thursdays through Sundays, until July 31, 2026. Admission is free! Schedule your visit at bit.ly/TreesBiennale2026 🌳

13/05/2026

If trees could talk, what would they say?

We asked. You answered.

Since January, we have received 500+ postcards from over 60 countries around the world. We've collected these messages of love, hope, apology, and gratitude from artists, children, poets, mothers, fathers, activists from all continents. Visit iftreescouldtalk.art for more 💌

Postcards by:
• Yesim Tetik, Turkey
• Chantal Faith Bagang, Philippines
• Kira Mironova, Georgia
• Mara Kawka, Germany
• Felicia Joleen Harianto, Indonesia
• Adrielle Altagracia Tjahyadi,
• Quenella Samantha Lane, Indonesia
• Maryam Aboelezz, Egypt
• Nidhi Ghose

06/05/2026