history of visual arts in the philippines
DESCRIPTION
It discusses the history of Philippine Visual Arts beginning from the Spanish Era and up to recent times. Almost all national artists and prominent visual artists in different periods were discussedTRANSCRIPT
Artistic paintings were introduced to the Filipinos in
the 16th century when the Spaniards arrived in the Philippines.
During this time, the Spaniards used paintings as
religious propaganda to spread Catholicism throughout the Philippines.
These paintings, appearing mostly on church walls,
featured religious figures appearing in Catholic teaching.
Betis Church, Pampanga
Due to the Church's supervision of Filipino art and
Spanish occupation of the Philippines, the purpose of most paintings from the 16th-19th century were
to aid the Catholic Church.
Paete Murals
In the early 19th century, wealthier, educated
Filipinos introduced more secular Filipino art, causing art in the Philippines to deviate from
religious motifs.
Spolarium by Juan Luna
The use of watercolor paintings increased and the
subject matter of paintings began to include landscapes, Filipino inhabitants, Philippine fashion,
and government officials.
Portrait paintings featured the painters themselves, Filipino jewelry, and native furniture.
The subject of landscape paintings featured artists'
names painted ornately as well as day-to-day scenes of average Filipinos partaking in their daily
tasks.
These paintings were done on canvas, wood, and a variety of metals.
During World War II, some painters focused their
artwork on the effects of war, including battle scenes, destruction, and the suffering of the Filipino
peoples.
Napoleon Abueva (Sculpture) Fernando C. Amorsolo (Painting)
Benedicto Cabrera (Painting) Victorio C. Edades (Painting)
Carlos V. Francisco (Painting)
Abdulmari Asia Imao (Sculpture) Jose T. Joya (Painting)
Ang Kiukok (Painting) Cesar Legaspi (Painting)
Arturo R. Luz (Painting)
Vicente S. Manansala (Painting) J. Elizalde Navarro (Painting)
Hernando R. Ocampo (Painting) Guillermo Tolentino (Sculpture)
Napoleon Abueva (born January 26, 1930)
He is the "Father of Modern Philippine Sculpture".
He is the only Boholano given the distinction as National Artist of the Philippines in the field of Visual
Arts.
He took up a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines where he graduated in 1953.
Some of his major works include Kaganapan
(1953), Kiss of Judas (1955), Thirty Pieces of Silver, The Transfiguration, Eternal Gardens Memorial Park
(1979), UP Gateway (1967),
Kaganapan
Nine Muses (1994), UP Faculty Center, Sunburst
(1994)-Peninsula Manila Hotel, the bronze figure of Teodoro M. Kalaw in front of National Library, and
murals in marble at the National Heroes Shrine, Mt. Samat, Bataan.
Ang Kiukok (Visual Arts, 2001)
He was born in Davao City, to Chinese-Filipino parents.
He pursued Art Studies at the University of Santo Tomas,
where he was taught by Filipino art masters, most
notably Vicente Manansala who was to become a
lifelong friend and mentor.
He first attained prominence in the Philippine arts
scene in the 1960s with a distinct style that fused influences from cubism, surrealism and
expressionism.
The Last Supper
Some classified his style as "figurative
expressionism", others merely called it ugly.
What could not be doubted was the violence in his imagery, a factor that slighted the commercial
viability of his works until the 1980s.
Rabid dogs
He favored such subjects as fighting cocks, rabid
dogs, and people enraptured by rage or bound in chains.
He painted multiple depictions of the crucified
Christ that did not shirk from portraying the agonies normally associated with the crucifixion.
When asked why he was so angry, he replied, "Why not? Open your eyes. Look around you.
So much anger, sorrow, ugliness.
And also madness." The intensity of his works stood in contrast to his own personality, described as "placid and affable".
In the end, Ang Kiukok emerged not only as a critical favorite, but a commercially popular artist as well.
Upon his death from cancer on May 9, 2005, it was reported that he and fellow National Artist Fernando Amorsolo were the most widely bidded after Filipino painters in auctions
Grave of Ang Kiukok at the
Libingan ng mga Bayani
Fernando C. Amorsolo (Painting)
Fernando Amorsolo y Cueto (May 30, 1892 – April
24, 1972) is one of the most important artists in the history of painting in the Philippines.
Amorsolo was a portraitist and painter of rural
Philippine landscapes.
Amorsolo is best known for his illuminated
landscapes,which often portrayed traditional Filipino customs, culture, fiestas and occupations.
His pastoral works presented "an imagined sense of
nationhood in counterpoint to American colonial rule" and were important to the formation of Filipino national identity.
Fruit Gatherer, 1950 by Fernando
Amorsolo oil on board. A vital
specimen of his work on the human
face and landscape.
Amorsolo was sought after by influential Filipinos
including Luis Araneta, Antonio Araneta and Jorge B. Vargas.
Amorsolo also became the favourite Philippine
artist of United States officials and visitors to the country.
Fruit Pickers Harvesting Under
The Mango Tree
The volume of paintings, sketches and studies of
Amorsolo is believed to have reached more than 10,000 pieces.
In May 2010, the highest priced Amorsolo painting
(one of the lavanderas) was auctioned off at Christie's for about US$ 440,000.
Antipolo by Fernando Amorsolo
Benedicto Reyes Cabrera (born August 27, 1942),
better known as "BenCab", was awarded National Artist of the Philippines for Visual Arts (Painting) in
2006.
He graduated in 1963 from UP-College of Fine Arts.