Mario Parial’s Undisputable Wealth of Artistic Vision 

Saranggola, 1980 
Description: 
 His works feature a wide range of diverse themes, noted by many for its warm
colors and folk quality. Saranggola presents Parial’s lush palette and attention to
detail as he portrayed a mundane scene with local subjects and objects. Here, he is
able to capture a genre scene in such a way that the level of consciousness is
heightened. The subjects and the local objects are presented in straightforward
geometric and streamlined details. Kites are rendered with engaging patterns, and the
human figures add to the compositional appeal of this piece.  

Historical background: 
One of the foremost genre painters has enabled Mario Parial to demonstrate a
balance of technique and vision almost unparalleled in today’s art scene. The painting
“saranggola” is sold at the price of Three Hundred Seventy-Four Thousand Nine
Hundred Twenty-Eight Pesos (PHP 374,928). Mario Parial signed it and dated it 1980
(lower right). 

Artist: 
Mario Parial a multi-awarded Filipino painter, printmaker, and photographer
was born on (August 13, 1944 – December 22, 2013) in Gapan City, Nueva Ecija.
One of the fourteen children of Fidel Parial and Aurora Agustin. He studied under
Manuel Rodriguez, Sr. Vincente Manansala, Carlos V. Francisco, and Antonio
Austria. In 1969 he graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of
Santo Tomas. His works deal with folk genre, mother and child, and mythical figures,
often integrated with plant and other organic forms. His works are intensely colored,
and have a strong decorative appeal. He won First Prize for “Flight in the Sun” at the
AAP competition in 1966. He was a CCP Thirteen Artists Awardee in 1972. His three
paintings were sold at the Sotheby’s (a fine art company) in Singapore in 2005-2007. 

Process used in making the art: 

Oil on canvas, Mario Parial uses this method. The advantages of oil paints
are their flexibility and depth of color. Oils also allow the artist to create greater
richness of color as well as a wide range of tonal transitions and shades. The process
used in making the art is painting. 
 “A Flowery Fantasy”
Description:  
The fantasy worlds of color and life that he brings out in his paintings have
made him one of the most sought-after artists in the country. This celebration of
enthusiasm and beauty – this call to joy – brings positivity and optimism to a Parial
piece. The flamingo flower that the girl is holding is a “anthurium,” a plant that
represents hospitality. They are popular as hostess or hospitality gifts due to their
open, heart-shaped, and long-lasting characteristics. Parial finds new meaning in the
familiar archetypes and motifs. 

Historical Background:  
Even when the distressing news of liver cancer hit the intrepid artist, Parial has
continued to evolve his practice, his newer works becoming more contemporary, with
quieter backgrounds. Parial has refused to let sickness dampen his worldview. He
continues to exercise his passion and joy for life. This quiet celebration of life is a
fascinating direction for the senior painter. His paintings, however, are still filled with
subjects of joy. In this light, Galerie Raphael will be holding an exhibition of works in
this direction, reveling in Parial’s joyfulness despite his sickness. Entitled Joy of Life,
the exhibition is a wonderful survey of Parial’s naïf practice within the context of new
works by the artist.
 
Artist: 
Mario Parial a multi-awarded Filipino painter, printmaker, and photographer
was born on (August 13, 1944 – December 22, 2013) in Gapan City, Nueva Ecija.
One of the fourteen children of Fidel Parial and Aurora Agustin. He studied under
Manuel Rodriguez, Sr. Vincente Manansala, Carlos V. Francisco, and Antonio
Austria. In 1969 he graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of
Santo Tomas. His works deal with folk genre, mother and child, and mythical figures,
often integrated with plant and other organic forms. His works are intensely colored,
and have a strong decorative appeal. He won First Prize for “Flight in the Sun” at the
AAP competition in 1966. He was a CCP Thirteen Artists Awardee in 1972. His three
paintings were sold at the Sotheby’s (a fine art company) in Singapore in 2005-2007. 
Process used in making the art: 
In this painting “A Flowery Fantasy” Parial uses a bright palette. There
are also specific colors that remind us of different emotions. Bright colors can make
you feel happy while darker colors can make you feel glum. Different colors can
create a different mood for artwork. Mood means the feeling we get when we look at
a work of art. The process used in making the art is painting.