Contemporary Philippine Arts from the Regions

By: Jerlyn Mae S. Quiliope

Top 10 Philippine Artists that have greatly influenced the Philippine Culture and
Society
1) Artist:Solomon Saprid
Sculpture:Tikbalang

Colonizers have come and gone to our land and inputted different traditions in our very
rich culture. There's this one man who sought to preserve our culture through his paintings and
sculptures and he is none other than Solomon Saprid. He gave the public pictures of Philippine
folklore characters that made the Filipinos realized that these imaginary beings are not just a
mere myth, rather it is more of a reality. He sculpted “Tikbalang”, a titanic creature with a horse-
like head but has a human-like body. He also sculpted “Amihan”, the wind goddess. After
sometime, these images had been so engraved in the public’s mind that the public began to
think that these creatures could be anywhere.
He also sculpted the “Gomburza” along Intramuros that made the public remember the
things that the 3 priests have done for our country. He didn’t just paint or sculpt art that only talked about the Filipino myths, but he
also made pictures that touched our culture. He painted “Mag-ina” that exemplified the joys of parenthood. He was able to pull back
the Filipinos to their roots and made them understand their culture and beginnings. Indeed,
he is an artist who enriched the rich culture of a society.
Bernice M. Cid
Source: www.manilatimes.net/national/2005/may/16/yehey/life/20050516lifl.html

2) Artist:Ang Kiuko
Painting:The Crucifixion

When a painter paints, his emotions are shown through the painted canvas. It shows
the different realities about life that move its audience. One person was able to do this
through his paintings, and he is the legendary Ang Kiuko. His early paintings were full of
different emotions that influenced the viewers’ feelings. His audience could easily understand
the message of his paintings because he used passion. He drew the Crucifixion of Christ that
exhibited hopelessness and depression.
His favorite subjects for his paintings were angst and anger that are shown in his
paintings called “Payaso” and “Ina at Anak”. His paintings were full of irony and questions. After some years, he tried to re-create his
style in art by painting gleeful pictures of Mother Nature instead of painting pictures of quarreling crowds. He was able to input
different perspectives of life in a small blank canvas. Indeed, he made a very remarkable impact
in our society. He re-created his art and thus, he has been able to influence the public’s views
about life.
Bernice M. Cid
www.inq7.net/lif/2004/jun/07/text_2-2-p.htm

3) Artist:Napoleon V. Abueva
Sculpture: Allegorical Harpoon

The Philippines is very fortunate for having the multi awarded national artist, Napoleon
V. Abueva, as its father of modern Philippine sculpture. Abueva is the pioneer in modern
sculptures because he was the first artist who had creatively and successfully moved out of the classic style to create his own abstract
experimental modern art pieces and paved the way for other young aspirants to follow his lead. He was the only sculptor who is
capable on working on all kinds of material in several styles from representational to abstract. There is not one drop of classical style
in all if his masterpieces. Abueva has long been exposed in utilizing almost all kinds of materials. These materials include wood, adobe,
metal, stainless steel, cement, marble, bronze, iron, alabaster, coral, brass, molave, acacia, langka wood, ipil, kamagong, palm wood
and bamboo.
One of his most famous works is his wooden sculpture entitled “Allegorical Harpoon” which is currently housed in the Cultural
Center of the Philippines. Also among his various works is the very familiar, “Sunburst”, which is a twelve meter sculpture made up of
twenty one rays of the sun and thirty three spears in copper, bronze and stainless steel that decorates the ceiling of the Manila
Peninsula Manila. What sets him apart from other artists is that he has the talent to unify different materials and experiment with
them. He is a very innovative artist who explores the unknown, but also probes the existing. According to Abueva, an Abueva sculpture
is known for its simplicity with the maximum expression of art. As the leading artist in
contemporary Philippine sculpture, Abueva has set a new standard that other artists have failed to
copy.
Mawi Uy
Reference: The National Artists of The Philippine by: Visitacion R. de la Torre

4) Artsist:Fernando Cueto Amorsolo

Painting: “Portrait of Presidents: Manuel Quezon, Manuel Roxas
and Sergio Osmena”

Dubbed as the grand old man of the Philippine art scene, Fernando Amorsolo, has made
the largest and solidest contribution to the Philippines through his numerous paintings scattered
around the Philippines and through his discovery of the natural light in canvas. Patronized by many powerful figures in the Philippine
society, Fernando Amorsolo has done many portraits that include past Philippine presidents Manuel L. Quezon, Manuel Roxas and
Sergio Osmena Sr. Most of his works depict the beauty and the splendor of our society during the late 1800’s until the 1950’s. Perhaps,
his greatest contribution to the Philippine art scene is the discovery of natural light that comes out from his paintings making them
seem very natural.
This illusion of backlight is the glow against which his figures stand out and develop a burst of light at one point of the canvas.
Amorsolo’s passion is clearly expressed in everything he painted. The light for which he is famous for expresses the love he has for art.
And all who have tried to copy Amorsolo’s illusion of the light is a flattery to him. Indeed, Amorsolo’s art is spread evenly in the 7,107
islands of the Philippines. Much talent was given to him and in return, he has given this back to his motherland and each of his paintings
shares the rich culture and heritage of our country. His glorious techniques and contribution to Philippine art have earned him the
title of national artist for painting.
Mawi Uy
Reference: The National Artists of The Philippines by: Quijano de Manila

5) Artist:Hernando Ocampo
Painting: The Contrast

Hernando Ocampo’s masterpieces had large contribution to full understanding and awareness
of social realities in the Philippines. He made paintings reflecting economic and psychological
dislocation in the country brought by World War II, a time of widespread poverty, hunger, and misery.
His works also depicted objection against the disparity between rich and poor.
One vivid illustration portraying the objection in social inequality is his painting, The Contrast,
which pictures a beggar eating in front of a mansion. As a visual artist, he also envisioned to come up
with masterpieces showing a search for Filipino spirit. His other major work of arts include Ina ng Balon,
Calvary, Slum Dwellers, Nude with Candle and Flower, Man and Carabao, Angel's Kiss, Palayok at Kalan, Ancestors, Isda at Mangga,
The Resurrection, Fifty-three "Q", Backdrop, Fiesta.
Joyce Santos
Source: Pamana: The Jorge B. Vargas Art Collection
Author: Santiago Albano Pilar http://www.ncca.gov.ph/culture&arts/profile/natlartists/visual-arts/ocampo.htm

6) Artist:Victorio Edades
Painting: The Builders

Victorio Edades, Father of Modern Philippine Painting, created works which were dark in
color and gave pictures of Filipino masses as theme. One of his great works depicting Filipino masses
is The Builders, the most controversial painting. It is dark in color and made of heavy texture which
pictures men working in a quarry. Moreover, his works were very different from Amorsolo’s bright,
sunny, cheerful hues yet his creativity in art made way for mural and modern paintings to be known
in the Philippines.
He does not only establish modern paintings into the Philippines but also link this modernism to the issue of national identity.
Some of his masterpieces were The Artist and the Model, Portrait of the Professor, Japanese Girl, Mother and Daughter, The Wrestlers,
Poinsettia Girl, The Sketch.
By: Joyce Santos
Sources: Pamana: The Jorge B. Vargas Art CollectionAuthor: Santiago Albano Pilar
http://www.ncca.gov.ph/culture&arts/profile/natlartists/visual-arts/edades.htm

7) Artist: Diosdado Lorenzo

Painting: Still Life Paintings

Diosdado Lorenzo is one of the most famous modernist painters in the Philippines. He is one of the pioneers who introduced
the modern 20th century form of art which is stronger and more appealing to the eyes than those of the traditional paintings made
by Fernando Amorsolo. To form the modernist approach in paintings, Lorenzo destroyed the old perspective of traditional paintings
to make way for the new styles in painting. Lorenzo’s obsession with the country’s landscape and people enabled him to try different
forms of paintings such as painting with lights, Chinese arts, watercolors, etc.
He tried these kinds of paintings only to find out that his heart was not really into it. After which, he explored Filipino “Still
Life” using objects such as fruits and vegetables as its model. He prefers using watercolors than oil because he considers watercolor
art to be more memorable. His water colored “still life” is considered to be one of the best in the country. The modernism found in
his works formed a new basis for the reassessment of Philippine paintings.
Edson Byron K. Sy
Source: Philippine Daily Express November 17, 1978

8) Artist: Vicente Rivera

Painting: Supplication

Vicente Rivera, a master in Philippine paintings, is commonly underrated due to the rarity of his
works. During his early years in education, he received a silver medal after taking two head studies. He
also received various nominations and awards in the field of painting. Unknown to everyone, he is one
of the founders of U.P. School of Fine Arts. His famous work, Supplication, depicts a picture of a woman
kneeling down on the nailed feet of Jesus on the cross.
The painting has a dramatic background to clearly express the desperate state of the woman. It is a famous example of a
stylish and an organized approach in Philippine paintings. Rivera’s organization in paintings made it more appealing to the subject,
thus, inspiring painters to put more passion in their painting rather than painting to make names for themselves.
Edson Byron K. Sy Source: Pamana: The Jorge B. Vargas Art Collection (by Santiago Albano Pilar; published on 1992 by Committee on Arts and Culture,Vargas Centennial Celebrations, and the University of the Philippines)
9) Artist:Juan Luna
Painting: Spoliarium

The paintings of Juan Luna were the first Filipino works of art to
become famous inside and outside of the Philippines because of its
meaning and significance. Juan Luna produced works in the romantic and
early impressionist styles, achieving great recognition in Europe. Juan
Luna traveled to different parts of Europe, learning various techniques in
painting and eventually coming back to the Philippines to further nurture
his talents. He won great praise as wells as many prizes for his works. His
achievements helped to inspire other Filipinos to think of themselves as
equal to the Europeans.
Juan Luna’s greatest masterpiece is “The Spoliarium”. This won him a gold medal at the National Exposition of Fine Arts held
in Madrid. The Spoliarium depicts the 19th century horror experience of the Filipinos. It emphasized the violation of Human Rights by
the colonizers of Spain. Juan Luna expressed his patriotism by painting one such masterpiece to enlighten the Filipinos out of
oppression. This painting showed great impact and influence on the Filipino people, truly something that not all artists can possess.
He is certainly a very influential artist and has indeed a painting style of his own making him without a doubt one of the most renowned
national artists.
By: Karen Anne L. Sadian Source: The National Artists of the Philippines
http://rds.yahoo.com/S=96062883/K=Spoliarium/v=2/SID=w/l=IVR/SIG=12ihsevf1/EXP=1127103704/*-
http://www.columbretis.com/Paintings_the_wordless_wonders.html

10) Artist: Guillermo Tolentino

Sculpture: Oblation and The Bonifacio Monument

Guillermo E. Tolentino is a renowned artist known for transforming hopes and

aspirations of freedom into art. One of his famous creations is the Oblation, which can be
found at the lobby of College of Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines. The Oblation,
famous landmark in the University of the Philippines, has become a symbol of academic
freedom. It is a figure of a nude man with arms outstretched and looking far beyond the
horizon. The original Oblation is made of concrete and measures three and a half meters
symbolizing the three and a half years of Spanish rule in the Philippines. The stones on which
it stands represent the many islands in the country. In addition, Guillermo Tolentino included
clusters of katakataka found at the foot of the figure, which symbolize the heroism of the
Filipino people.
The Oblation is good representation of how one has a thirst for freedom and an eagerness to offer his whole self for the
country. He transformed the country’s aspiration and hope for a freer country into this amazing sculpture. Another famous sculpture
of Guillermo Tolentino is the Bonifacio Monument located in Caloocan City. The monument commemorates the proletarian hero,
Andres Bonifacio and his revolutionary group called “Katipunan” first encounter with the Spanish soldiers on August 3, 1896. The
Bonifacio Monument is an enduring symbol of the Filipinos’ cry for freedom. In these two masterpieces, Guillermo Tolentino
successfully portrays what Filiipinos yearn for and what they want to achieve during the time of the Spaniards. Because of this, he is
considered one of the most known national artists in the Philippines.
By: Karen Anne L. Sadian Source: The National Artists of the Philippines
http://rds.yahoo.com/S=96062883/K=Oblation/v=2/SID=w/l=IVR/SIG=121unc7tb/EXP=1127103632/*-http://www.up.edu.ph/oar/gallery/gallery.html