Contemporary Arts In the

Philippines
(Visual Artist)

By: Mary Nicole C. Paed

12-Patience
VISUAL ARTS IN THE
PHILIPPINES
PAINTING
Victorio Edades
 Victorio C. Edades was the pioneer in modernism in the
Philippine art scene.
 He is known as the Father of Modern Philippine Painting.
 His works’ subject matter or themes: Depicting laborers,
factory workers or the simple folk in all their dirt, sweat and
grime.
 Painting distorted human figures in rough, bold impasto
strokes, and dark colors, standing tall and singular in his
advocacy and practice of what he believes is the creative art.
THE EARLY YEARS OF VICTORIO EDADES
• Edades was born on December 23, 1895 in Dagupan,
Pangasinan to Hilario Edades and Cecilia Edades.
• He was the youngest of 10 children, 6 died from small pox
(Variola virus)
• By 7th grade his teachers were so impressed because of his
artistic ability that he was called “apprentice teacher” in his art
class.
• In 1919, he left for the United States to study Architecture and
Fine Arts at the University of Washington in Seattle and later
earned his masters in fine arts.
HIS JOURNEY IN AMERICA
(1919)
• He married an American named Jean Garrott,
with whom he had his only daughter, Joan.
• His growing appreciation to what he saw in
America veered him away thus began to paint in
modern manner.
• During his journey here, he participated in various
competition (Annual Exhibition of North
America Artist) and his entry “The Sketch” won
2nd place.
HIS RETURN TO PHILIPPINES
(1928)
• He had his first one-man show at the Philippine Columbian
Club. (The Sketch (also known as The Artist and His Model),
and The Builders.)
• In the 1930s, Edades taught at the University of Santos Tomas
and became dean of its Department of Architecture where he
stayed for three full decades.
• It was during this time that he introduced a liberal arts
program that offers subjects as art history and foreign languages
that will lead to a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts. This
development brought about a first in Philippine education
since art schools then were vocational schools.
• Edades later formed the Triumvirate of Modern Art with
Carlos V. Francisco and Galo B. Ocampo, after they
produced a mural for the lobby of the Capitol Theater on
Escolta Street. This began the growth of mural painting in
the Philippines.
• Finally retiring from teaching at age 70, the university
conferred on Edades the degree of Doctor of Fine Arts,
honoris causa, for being an outstanding “visionary, teacher
and artist.”
• He then settled in Davao after retirement.
• On May 7, 1985, Victorio Edades passed away at the age of
89.
 1928 – The Sketch,
National Museum
Collection

1928 – The Builders,

Cultural Center of the
Philippines Collection
 1935 – Interaction, with
Carlos V. Francisco and
Galo B. Ocampo

1976 – Demoiselles
D’avao
 Some of his awards include:
•1961 – Pro Patria Award, given during the
Rizal Centennial Celebration
•1964 – Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan
Award, from the City of Manila
ACTIVITY: Paint me
a Song!