Philippine

Contemporary
Art
Nature of Contemporary
Art
Contemporary Art is comprised of expressive art in
several forms that are created and produced in the
present specifically in the 21st Century or roughly
from 1960s to the current period. Aside from those
that we commonly have known as the visual art such
as paintings, sculpture and the like, Digital art has also
become a unique way of expressing creative emotions
using modern tools.
 Contemporary as
Postmodernism
The end of modernism is the beginning of the
contemporary period in the evolution of
Philippine art. Contemporary is the point where
artists liberated themselves from the nature of
what is considered modern after the Second World
War. The Modern Period in Philippine Art began
after the war specifically with the creation of the
Art Association of the Philippines (AAP) which
has evident leaning with the Modernist rather that
the Traditional or Conservatives called as the
Amorsolo School.
 Contemporary
Period in Philippin
Art Forms
 Contemporary Literary Art
Many Filipino writers continued to create poetry, short stories, poems,
novels and essays. in different languages and vernaculars especially
during the Martial Law years around 1970s. Literature as a form of art
became a medium by which Filipino clamor for freedom of expression.
These writings were pertinent to the current state of the society, gender
equality, ethnicity whether in the micro or macro level. Many of these
writers were trained here and abroad thereby exposing them to the more
credible and scientific approach to the creation of literature. Many
became competitive due to the encouragement provided by several bodies
to recognize the talent of the many Filipino writers through the Don
Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature, Philippine Graphic,
Home Life, The Philippine Free Press and the Panorama literary awards
• Mga ibong Mandaragit(1960)
A novel written by Amado V.
Hernandez, a social activist who
wrote about the struggle of the
Filipino to uplift his life. The setting
reflected Hernandez's life as a
guerilla during the Japanese
occupation. In this narrative the
author clamored for change in the
living condition of the Filipinos who
suffered much under the
government.
2. Barter in Panay (1961)
Ricaredo Demetillo shows
the declaration of Martial
Law in 1972 stunted the
production of literature with
the closing of many
publications, like the
Philippine Graphic and the
Philippines Free Press.
3. The Women Who Had Two Navels ( 1961)
Authored by Nick Joaquin is a historical-
novel, a classic in Philippine Literature.
The story about Connie Escobar who
suffered a childhood trauma when she
found out that her father was an
abortionist. She thought that she had two
navels which made her extraordinary
which made her feel much guilt and self-
pity for being a freak. The novel is a
journey to self-acceptance and social
recognition.
3. Woman Enough and Other Essays ( 1963)

Carmen Guerrero Nakpil wrote

her sentiment through her twenty
two informal essays about
Philippine Contemporary Culture,
the Filipino Women and their
Habits. Her worked was a
product of journalism after the
war primarily focusing on politics
and Filipino life.
4. The Volcano ( 1965)
Bienvenido Santos explored in
this fiction the relationship
between races, and equates the
Filipino with the volcano,
dormant but with much potential
power. The story of '"The
Volcano" revolved around an
American family who struggled
to survive Japanese occupation
of the Philippines and the
prejudices of the Filipinos
against the Americans after the
war.
5. The FIlipinos in the Philippines
A collection of essays by Renato
Constantino, a historian and a
nationalist whose most
influential essay includes the
"The Miseducation of the
Filipino." As a historian and
nationalist he saw 'colonial
mentality as a result of the
Americanized or westernized
education of the Filipinos
6. Mula saParolang Ginto (1966)
Authored by the literary critic
Clodualdo del Mundo The first critical
essay written in Tagalog. This collection
of essays is equally alive in the different
vernaculars published through
Liwayway. The writing in the local
language signifies the opportunity for
every Filipino from the different regions
to express their sentiment pertaining to
the social, economic and political ills
affecting the Filipinos at a given time.
7. SIgwa ( 1972 )
Ricardo Lee, Fanny Garcia, Norma
Miraflor, and Epifanio San Juan Jr. were
young writers who were strongly
influenced by Marxist literary theory as
such ideology presented the problems of
the working class and the abuses by the
Capitalist Their works were
anthologized in the "First Quarter
Storm" of 1970 during those moments
when the role of literature is being
questioned in the society.
8. Luha ng Buwaya ( 1972)
A novel by Amado V. Hernandez
about the barrio peasant who was
led by a local school teacher to
fight oppression from the hands
of the 'buwaya' which connotes
the powerful, greedy and corrupt
groups in the society such as the
'Grande' family in the said novel.
9. Ginto ng Kayumanggi Lupa ( 1975)
Dominador Mirasol's masterpiece about
the character of Moises Dipasupil who
fought the prevailing power in the
government and society that caused
much suffering on the people. This
literary work exposed the abuses
perpetrated by those in power. It also
revealed the suffering and the struggles
experienced by the common people who
fell prey to the abusive oppressors.
10. Doktrinang Anakpawis ( 1979)
Virgilio S. Almario also known as
'Rio Alma provided a collection
of poems focusing on the journey
of an individual from the self to
the wider social reality. This
literature revolved on the turmoil
that touches questions relating to
national consciousness in the
midst of militancy during the
martial law years
11. Spy in My Own Country ( 1981)

Sylvia Mayuga narrated her

experiences during the Martial
Law years in these 11 essays. She
wrote about her experiences
during the late 1960s that have
formed her and the many
Filipinos who have struggled to
survive the tyrannical
government and its corrupt
agencies.
12. Utos ng Hari at Iba Pang Kwento (1981)

Written by Jun Cruz Reyes used

colloquialisms as a critique of
conformity. It criticized the
Martial Law, a writing which
depicted social protest during the
Marcos rule. The story focuses on
the life of a student jojo who
desires so much but is so
suppressed by institutional
expectations
13. Versus (1983-1986) Panitikan ng Protesta
This is a collection of protest
poetries compiled by Alfredo
Navarro Salanga. The production
of underground literature largely
inspired by the assassination of
Benigno Aquino Jr. in 1983 to the
time when his wife, Corazon
Cojuangco Aquino became the
first woman President of the
Republic of the Philippines.
14. History of the Burgis (1987)
Mariel N. Francisco and Fe
Maria C Arriola explored
the defects of the prevailing
social class. The lives of the
elite were scrutinized as
well as how they were able
to make it to the top of the
society. The privileges and
gains these people availed
through their social status.
15. The Smile On SMokey Mountain (1991)
Emmanuel S. Torres exemplifies
the poet that shows much angst
and loneliness. His artistry shows
the awakening of an individual to
the sociopolitical realities and the
nationalist spirit. His literary style
displayed formalism with the
desire to eradicate oppression,
poverty, social injustices and
political corruption.
Contemporary
VISUAL ARTS
Visual arts in the 1960s reflected
dynamism in styles and trends. A bulk of
the artistic works reflected a society
confronted with social, economic and
political issues that proliferate during the
Marcos regime more specifically during
the declaration of the Martial Law. It was
a period where nationalist consciousness
emerged. Political awareness was
evidently strong and reverberating in
every corner of the society.
SCULPTURE
 JEREMIAS ELIZALDE
NAVARRO
His point of interests is on masks and
tribal forms which capture aboriginal art
using expressionist vein. A proficient
painter and sculptor devoting to the visual
arts for 40 years through drawing,
printmaking, painting and sculpting,
Elizalde's masks carved in hardwood
merges human and animal figure drew
inspiration from Balinese art and culture.
Is He the man , 1960
 virginia ty-navarro
Known for her iconic sculpture in Ortigas,
EDSA. She was commissioned and was
able to complete the Statue of Our Lady
Queen of Peace in sixteen months after
the 1986 People Power Revolution. Her
rendition of Our Lady, Queen of Peace
with distinctly Asian features was
questioned by some critics who expected
the Lady to be the usual Western and
'mestiza' image.
Our Lady , Queen of Peace, 1986
 solomon saprid
A contemporary Filipino sculptor who
was known for his art works made of
bronze. He created works by welding
scraps of metal. Saprid became known for
his works in bronze which he created by
welding scraps of metal with jagged
effect. His famous sculpture was the
Tikbalang Series created in 1971.

TIkbalang Sereies, 1971

 manuel and fred baldemor

The Baldemors from Paete, Laguna

are leading contem- porary figures in
sculpture. Manuel Baldemor derives
in- spiration from the colors, forms
as well as the way of life of the
people from Paete.

Pacquia Statue, 2010

 jose tence ruiz
The Baldemors from Paete, Laguna are
leading contem- porary figures in sculpture.
Manuel Baldemor derives in- spiration from
the colors, forms as well as the way of life
of the people from Paete.This sculptor
explored on new techniques and sculptural
forms. His work is a reflection of the
bizarre and artistic uniqueness. He focused
on Jeepney culture such as the Dama de
Noche which signifies varied personalities.
Dama De Noche , 2008
 francisco verano
A sculptor and painter who used old
wood materials from dilapidated
hundred-old houses to manifests the
human condition by creating
sculptures of human figures with
evident movement while performing
rural occupations.

Stone Idol, 1959

PAINTING
 ANG
Ang Kiukok in his angst-ridden figures
KIUKOK
focuses on the 'human condition.' His
subjects are largely pertaining to the
poverty that afflicts the Filipinos and his
society. Oppression is also a favorite
subject in his art works. Universal
symbols such as man on fire, dogfights,
crucifixion and the like were used to
represent the social realities prevailing
during those times The Thinking Man, 1979
 PRUDENCIO
LAMARROSA
This painter from Tagudiri, Ilocos
Sur experimented with varied
modern styles which produced
mostly figurative artworks by
combining surrealism and pop
elements. He merges real with the
magical and maintains ecology as a
fundamental focus in his landscape
paintings. Amburayan Queen, 1987
 JOSE BLANCO
Jose Blanco from Angono, Rizal
maintained the realist genre which is a
tradition of several artists together with
his family. His art works were the
specific sample of lively figures in
lively hue reflected in hi large paintings
that were actually based on real people
from their town in Angono, Rizal. Other
significant artists from Angono are HARVEST TIME WITH THE
Salvador Juban, Nemesio Miranda Jr. BANAWE RICE TERRACES
and Vicente Reyes.
 ANTONIO DOCTOR GARCIA
Garcia is an ambidextrous fine artist in
pen-and- ink genre that goes beyond
illustration to having an impressive
artistic vision. Garcia has also engaged
in the use of realist genre of old houses
and churches for more than decades
using charcoal, oil, and watercolors.
His expertise is on the use of pen and
ink especially on working with
illustrations of town market scenes.
LABANDERA, 1984
MAURO MALANG
SANTOS
Also known as Malang, a premiere
cartoonist at the Manila Chronicles. His
brainchild was the first English comic
strip Kosme, the Cop, Retired. Malang
became a painter who depicted local
folk in fiestas, folk art and children.
Figures are direct, spontaneous,
colorful and festive with decorative
designs all over VENDOR
DR. ABDULARI IMAO
Imao created variations on the sarimanok
specifically in the rendering of painting and
sculpture, ethnic designs and motifs have
found its expression in contemporary art. Imao
draws inspiration from the Tausug and
Maranao artistry of southern Philippines,
specifically from the art of the okir wood
carving design, which he reinterpreted in a
contemporary manner. It has four distinct and
interrelated themes; Islamic calligraphy, the
sari manok (a mythical bird with fish), the sari
mosque (a sarimanok and the form of the
mosque, and the sari-okir. SARIMANOK
BENEDICTO CABRERA
Also known as 'Bencab', he realized
that the historical trend could also be
visible in the work of artists who
have looked to the past in the hope of
showing the present. Historical
allusions have also been used to
create a relationship between the past
and the present and to reflect
contemporary political meanings in
the imagery of the past
SABEL 1965
PHOTOGRAPHY
Photography became a contemporary form of artistic
expression. Journalists have utilized the camera as an
instrument and a tool to record major events and even
personalities for advertising groups to market their
products and services. Largely, photography became a
significant and powerful form of artistic expression.
 Eduardo Masferre's Cordillera
Photographs
Masferre was a self-taught
photographer. Upon return to his
hometown, he became preoccupied with
taking photos of everything significant
according to his perception from the
surroundings of the Cordillera. Most of
these photographs are the native
Igorots. Largely, Masferre's photos are
those of people.
TANULONG , SAGADA
 Jaime Zobel de Ayala
A known businessman and an art photogra-
pher for the past 35 years. He has won in
various photography competitions here and
abroad. Zobel is the first Filipino amateur
photographer to be confirmed "Licentiate" by
the Royal Photographic Society and has been
given recognitions for his significant
contributions to art and culture both in France
and Spain

FULL MOON, 2005

 D R AW I N G
Contemporary art includes in its visual form the creation of
comics and cartoons which became very popular. These
cartoons may be considered as very famous since it
contains social and political meaning found in newspaper
and magazines. In the 1930s the proliferation of American
comic cartoons inspired Filipino Komiks where characters
were created to entertain by giving laughter and provided
political insights.
 Larry Alcala's Mang Ambo (1960)
Larry Alcala's record include 500 cartoon
characters, 20 comic strips, six movies, 2
murals and 15,000 published pages for 56
years being engaged in cartoon creation.
Larry believed in the significant role of
cartoons in the value formation of readers.
He created Mang Ambo from Barrio
Bulabog to represent the Filipino in the
midst and weaknesses of urban life.

MANG AMBO
 mARS rAVELO
Mar's Ravelo is 'The King of Komiks, and produced over a hundred
comic works at Ace Publications. His creations such as "Buhay
Pilipino" in Liwayway, novels like Darna, Jack and Jill, Captain
Barbell, Maruja, Lastikman, Goomboo Roomboo, Bondying, Roberta
were among those so loved by Filipino readers.

BUHAY PILIPINO
 Elpidio Torres' Dyesebel

Torres together with Mars Ravelo

created 'Dyesebel' which was a
popular Filipino mermaid story.
Torres began to write his own
scripts. He wrote as well the jungle
series 'Robina' in Redondo Komix
'Planet Eye' for Ares Productions
and the science fiction 'Planeta X'
for PSG Publications.
DYESEBEL
Steve Gan's Ang Panday
(1970)
A novel by Carlo J. Caparas, Ang
Panday was illustrated by Steve
Gan. Ang Panday created the
character of Flavio, an adventurous
hero who saved the common people
from the wickedness of Lizardo, his
archenemy.