Modern Art in the Philippines

• It has evolved into wide variety of expressions and

medium turning the country into a situation of
creative upheavals.
• It is a search for a new.
• It is doing what no one has done before.
Modern Art in the Philippines

• The modern Filipino has more freedom to explore

on his own.
• The most interesting works of our contemporary
artist show his love for country and evolving
culture.
• His style is from cross-cultural exposures in the
Eastern and Western world yet he has not forgotten
his Filipino roots.
Modern Art in the Philippines

• The forms maybe universal but the content is

local.
• Many artist use color for their emotional rather
than intellectual values.
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.
2) Artist: Ang Kiukok
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 watercolored “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.
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.
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.
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.
Elements and Principles of
Art
Theater
Applied to an Original Performance
 Elements of Art as Applied to an Original
Performance
1. Sound and Music – incorporating sound
recording and editing techniques available using
applications for desktop or laptop computers,
tablets, and android phones
2. Gesture, Movement, and Dance – incorporating
appropriate dance styles and techniques learned
in Physical Education classes
3. Costume, Mask, Makeup, and Accessories –
incorporating art techniques such as painting,
papier mache, assemblage, simple sculpture and
industrial design
4. Spectacle – creating a striking, even awe-
inspiring effect on stage through the use of
lighting, sound, music, costumes, dance, and
special effects
Principles of Art as Applied to an Original
Performance
1. Rhythm, Movement
2. Balance
3. Emphasis
4. Harmony, Unity, and Variety
5. Proportion