Lesson 2

Contemporary Visual Arts

 The Philippines is home to many contemporary arts. Its art is as rich and as diverse as a culture. It would be difficult
to categorize all the different art forms found in the archipelago due to its sheer number and variety.

Contemporary artists influenced by many factors like: (1) religion, (2) education, (3) environment

History TITLE OF PAINTINGS:

- The Blood Compact/Sanduguan /El Pacto De Sangre
Fine arts – majority of the contemporary art produced - Filipino Struggles Through History / Kasaysayan Ng
in the Philippines are paintings, sculptures, and Maynila
drawings. - First Mass at Limasawa
Paintings and Illustrations – two-dimensional form of
art that showcases artistic expression created on a flat
surface. C. PORTRAITURE PAINTINGS
Images - these are made by applying pigment on a - It is used to commemorate personalities and are seen in
prepared surface using tools such as: brushes, palette many formal institutions such as government offices.
knife, spray, fingers etc. - It started during the rise of the Illustrados during the
Mediums/materials: oil, acrylic, watercolor, poster Spanish colonial times. It has been a symbolism of one’s
color, pastel, ink surfaces: canvas, wood, cardboard etc. rise to power and wealth.

PAINTING THEMES
ANTIPAS “BITOY” DELOTAVO (1954)
A. RELIGIOUS THEME TITLE OF PAINTING: Women with Umbrella
- The primary subject for the artworks during the
Spanish colonial times. It supports the moral message of RAFAEL DEL CASAL - Portrait of San Pedro
the religion it purports to illustrate. Calungsod

DARYL DE LEON DESCALLAR - He was part of

Joey Velasco (1967-2010)
group of visual artists called “Tabula Rasa Art Group
College: Ateneo De Manila (LL. B)
Unlimited.”
Title of Painting: Hapag Ng Pag-Asa / Table of Hope

Renato Habulan (1953)

Collage: University of the East School of Fine Arts
A major member of KAISAHAN D. STILL LIFE
Boceto series of pen and ink drawings - It is a work of art depicting mostly inanimate subject
- He was seeking parallels between the human condition matter typically common place, objects which are either
and suffering of Christ. natural: flowers, food, dead, animals, plants, rocks,
shells or man-made: drinking glasses, books, vases,
Christian Iconography it refers to identification, jewelry, coins, pipes.
description, and interpretation.
MARIA PAZ PATERNO MADRIGAL PACITA
(1867-1914) - A Bodegones Artist
 
B. HISTORICAL THEME
- It is used in the past and reproduced in historical ANG KIUKOK (1931-2005) - Filipino - Chinese
presentations Painter
COLLEGE: University of Santo Tomas
CARLOS MODESTO “BOTONG” VILLALUZ
FRANCISCO TITLE OF PAINTINGS:
Occupation: Muralist from Angono, Rizal - Clown
College: University of The Philippines - Three Fishermen
- He is credited with the discovery of the Angono - Lot Art
petroglyphs.  - Mother and Child
VICENTE MANANSALA (1910-1981) - A Cubist
Kapampangan Artist CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS DUBBED IN
- A Pioneer of Cubism NUDES:
TITLE OF PAINTING: Madonna of The Slums
BEN BABRERA (1942) - He was rated as “The Best-
Selling Painter of His Generation.”
E. LANDSCAPES TITLE OF PAINTINGS:
- It depicts the beauty of the outdoors it can be the - Sabel in Blue
natural environment such as the countryside or the sea. - Mother and Child

Cesar Legaspi (1917-1994)

 Under the guidance of FERNANDO TITLE OF PAINTINGS: - Tree Planting
AMORSOLO, many artists made us of the - Ginintuang Mayo/ Golden
academic style. Spring
MARTINO ABELLANA (1914-1988) - He is the
mentor of Visayan artists
- He referred as the “Dean of Cebuano Painters” BATANGAS ABSTRACT ARTISTS:
TITLE OF PAINTING: Seascape ROMULO OLAZO (1935-2015) - Diaphanous Figura
DIOSDADO M. LORENZO (1906-1984) - He depicts VICENTE MANANSALA (1910-1981) – Crucifixion
his works from the realistic scenery depictions to a more - Jesus Carrying the Cross
modernist.
TITLE OF PAINTING: Barrio Scene with Carabaos

MANUEL BALDEMOR (1947) - He transformed his

hometown into simple geometric forms and imbibed it G. GENRE
with a festive vibe. - It is used to showcase people during everyday
TITLE OF PAINTING: Kaarawan Ni San Isidro activities and chores.
Salvador
BOXER CODEX - it illustrated the different social
PRUDENCIO LAMARROZA (1943) - He is an classes and attire of the different inhabitants of the
ilocano artist country.
- He was inspired by the Amburayan river to create his
paintings. - In the 19th century, miniature genre paintings were
TITLE OF PAINTING: Amburayan River very popular as souvenirs to tourists.

MAURO MALANG SANTOS - He has a collection of

fiestas inspired paintings.

F. NUDE MARIO PARIAL (1944-2013) - He is praised for his

- It was rare before 20th century. colorful genre paintings that feature his distinct
figurative style.

FERNANDO AMORSOLO (1892-1972) - Portraitist

- Painter of Rural Philippine Landscapes
- He became the favorite Philippine Artist of U.S
officials and visitors
- He is the close friend of Guillermo Tolentino
- First national artist in painting given by Marcos
TITLE OF PAINTING: Dalagang Bukid
 Sculpture
- artworks that are three – dimensional (has length, width, height)

1. FREE STANDING –
also known as “in the
round”, sculpture Precolonial sculptural artworks:
that are raised 1. Panolongs of Torongan – by Maranos (carving –
independently in its “okir”)
given space. It can be observed from all 2. Sunduk of Badjaos – gravemakers
points of view. 3. Bulul of Igorot – Ifugao rice God
4. Maranao Royal House – Maranao Sultan/ Datu
2. RELIEFS – sculptures that are raised from a
background. Spanish Era:
- used to create and decorate items used in one’s life
 Bas-reliefs (low – he most notable sculptures: Santos
relief) – reliefs that – examples: Nazareno in Quiapo, Lady of Pena Francia
are slightly in Naga, Santo Nino in Cebu
– divided into classical and modern
protruding from their background. From
Ancient Greek and
Roman (e.g.,
American Period:
Parthenon)
- prominent people of society and politics

 High Reliefs – reliefs (classic)

that are prominently 1. Guillermo Tolentino (1890-1976)
raised against their background, giving the – Oblation, Bonifacio Monument
sculpture more dimensionality. (e.g., South 2. Anastacio Caedo (1907-1990)
Dakota) - Batangueno, McArthur Landing site (Leyte)
3. Froilan Mandrinan
- Paete artist, Master in Wood Carving
STYLES OF CONTEMPORARY SCULPTURES 4. Luisito Ac-ac
– sculptures that are made by either adding or - lifelike wooden sculptures
subtracting materials. 5. Mario Dayo
– subtraction: carving - baroque style relief murals
– sculpting: molding, casting, welding (modern)
6. Napoleon Abueva (1930)
CLASSICAL STYLE – from Greeks and Romans. - Tagbilaran, Bohol
MODERN STYLE – trending, not based on realistic - Father of Modern Sculpture
portrayal. - Allegorical Harpoon (Molave, 1964)

History Contemporary (Expressionist Sculptors)

- The Philippines has a sculptural tradition dating long Artist
before the arrival of the first colonizers.
1. Renato Rocha (1937-2001
Hologram – 3- - Uson, Masbate
dimensional light - Figurative Abstraction
projection. 2. Ross Arcilla (1938)
- Caramoan, Camarines Sur
- worked with a wide array of materials
3. Julie Lluch (1946)
- Iigan, City, Lanao del Norte
 - expressionist sculpture 6. Solomon Saprid (1917-2003)
4. Agnes Arellano (1949) - bronze sculpture
- Quezon City - ‘Tikbalang’
- dramatic sculptures of cast and modeled plaster 7. Conrado Mercado (1945)
and synthetic marble – inscapes (essential meaning - Bustos, Bulacan
rather than surface appearance) - beaten aluminum reliefs and open-cage
5. Jerry Navarro Elizalde (1924) construction
- indigenous tribal art

DECORATIVE ARTS AND CRAFTS

- created for aesthetic and practical purposes

Many respected Filipino artists of today such as: Examples of time-honored sculptural crafts
- GAMABA (Gawad ng Manlilikhang Bayan)
 Many respected Filipino artist are part of it. 1. The Bulul
- It is used as decorative element
Examples Of Contemporary Decorative Arts Found throughout daily wares.
in The Country
2. Okir
- geometric patterns and stylized
POTTERY
images of plants and animals 
- It is the art and craft of making pots and other - It is a symbol of power and prestige
wares using clay or mud usually adorned during festivities.
- Pottery makers made everyday items such as - “Okir” is a design or pattern that
food containers, water vessels, and some are tells the story of a person; his
created for formal and ritualistic purposes as experiences, beliefs, and values – that
burial jars or as figurative mementos. composed his being and identity,
- Pottery tradition is still alive in Vigan, Ilocos through the use of authentic
Sur. symbolisms; which reveals the
- Examples: food containers, water vessels, for distinct & original culture and civilization of the Muslim
south.
formal and ritualistic purposes (burial) or as
figurative mementos.
3. Sarimanok
- A chicken- like figure that carries
BURNAY a fish in its beak.
- Burnay are earthen jars with small openings - The Sarimanok, also known as
while those with bigger mouths are called papanok in its feminine form, is a
wangging. In the early years, the burnay, legendary bird of the Maranao
locally known as tapayan or banga, was used people who originate from
for storage of water, rice grains, basi Mindanao, an island in the
(sugarcane wine) and condiments like salt and Philippines and part of the
bagoong (fish paste). Philippine Mythology. It comes from the word’s "sari"
- made in Giant kilns and "manok." "Sari" means "assorted" or "various"
while manok means "chicken"". 
Ugu Bigyan (Augusto Bigyan) - A popular decorative motifs used as their decorations
– Tiaong, Quezon in their houses, boats, instruments, containers, weapons
– his pottery pieces are recognized here and abroad and utensils.

CARVING Similar carving processes are found within the

- An art of manipulating and creating objects by TRIBAL GROUPS OF MINDANAO:
subtracting and shaping solid material such as
1. TAUSUGS
wood and stone 2. MARANAOS
3. BADJAOS
TAGBANUAS of Palawan - carve animal sculptures
used as ritual objects or sometimes as decorations for Mats of Basey, Samar
their houses and trinkets for their children - are especially artistic
being decorated with
WEAVING bright lively colors and
- the art of interlacing threads or fibers to create embroided with flowers,
textile, fabric, or other similar products. peacocks, and fantasy
- Philippine textiles are made from indigenous settings.
plants such as PIṄ A, ABACA, MAGUEY and
COTTON. Sesedmats of the Maranao
- are made up of patterns
of stripes or plaid.

Siniwsiwan
Woven Products: - An indigeneous fabric
from
Binakael (binakel, binakol, binakul) (transliterated, "to Bontoc used for men’s wanes and
do a sphere") - is a type of weaving pattern traditional in for women’s lufid.
the Philippines. Patterns consisting
entirely of straight lines are woven to Pineapple (pinya/piṅa) -
create the illusion of curves and Queen of the Philippine
volumes. Fabric 

Brocade weaving or pinilian - produces designs or METALWORK

patterns that float in reliefs on the surface of the cloth.  - An art creating and manipulating metal to
Pinilian designs are formed by either continuous or create various items such as jewelry, weapons
discontinuous supplementary weft etc.
yarns. - Remarkable collection of pre-colonial gold
jewelry that consists of ornaments, earrings,
IKAT necklace, gold-woven belts, and ashes,
- It is a dyeing process that although many have been lost, the remaining
involves resist dyeing ones displayed at the AYALA MUSEUM
It is used by the tribal groups of Mindanao - Metalwork found in the country comes in
(T’BOLI, BAGOBO, MANDAYA) different forms. These can
- Their ikats are designed by stylized animal come as the tiny bells by the
figures such as: BIRDS, LIZARDS, FROGS BAGOBO, which attach to
and HUMANS. The Bagobos add beads to the their possession and small
woven fabric to increase its beauty. brass or gold jewelry pieces
(like necklaces decorated with
animal figures)
- Two tiger bells, the large one
well preserved, the small one
on a necklace of small brass
chains. Bought in Davao in 1974.

THE MARANAO’S from Tugaya, Lanao Del Sur

- The largest manufacturer of brassware in the
BASAG Philippines. The most popular product is the
- A woven basket of Tagbanua tribe in GADOR, or decorated brass urns made using
Palawan with their lost- wax
iconic conical cover. process.
MATS
-  a weaving decorative
art floor coverings typically made of pandan,
swamp grass, bamboo and palm leaf provide
cool relief from the country’s humid
environment
 Tribal Groups: ROBERTO FELEO (1954)
- “Sapin-sapin”
TAUSUG/SULUK - Sailors, pearl divers and traders - combination of made and found pieces that
- Islamized tribal group in Sulu portray traditional, historical, iconic, and
- Tau (people) + Sug (current) popular images.
MARANAO - “PEOPLE OF THE LAKE”
BADJAO - “SEA GYPSIES”, Sulu/ Celebes Sea MOBILE
- fishermen - A sculptural work that is
T’BOLI - BEADSWORKS AND WOVEN FABRICS suspended from the ceiling or
- South, Cotabato a protruding base
- colorful clothes and accessories
BAGOBO - “IKAT” (dyeing process) ALEXANDER CALDER
MANDAYA - FISHING, HUNTING, PLANTING - American artist that pioneered this art form,
- BRASS ORNAMENTAL ITEMS considered it as kinetic art
- “Man Living in the Upper River”
- baladao, kakala, likod likod EDUARDO CASTRILLO (1942-2016)
- Bronze sculptor and designer

RAMON ORLINA (1944)

CONTEMPORARY ART FORMS - Premier glass sculptor

COLLAGE Performance Art

- It is a method of combining
printed images with other - It is a mix of visual arts and PERFORMING
flat media and pasted on a ARTS
canvas or board. - Its early incarnations were the Happenings of
the Dada Movement in the 1916.
DINA GADIA (1986) - The medium used in performance art is the
- Anda, Pangasinan artist himself, and the artwork is the acting and
- She uses collages to highlight focal interest the movements of the artist.
while creating new results. - Performance art should be done in front of a
live audience
JONATHAN BENITEZ (1971)
- Iligan City, Mindanao David Medalla (1948)
- A Palawan-based painter and collage artist. - A Filipino international artist
- He incorporates collages as a discourse on - “Brother of Isidora”
consumerist aims of advertising and - Painting, sculpture, installation, and kinetic art
environmental awareness - CLOUD CANYONS
- A STITCH IN TIME
ASSEMBLAGE
- A series of artworks made from paper collages,
wood scraps and other found objects.

Danny Sillada (1963)

- Multi-talented artist
- Painter, poet,
musician, installation
artist and
performance artist
Pioneers in the Philippines - BANDAGE OF FAITH

LAO LIANBEN (1948) Installation Art

- Assemblage art pioneer - A form of contemporary art that
- Manila involves the arrangement of objects in
- Twigs and small branches/devastation of the a given space
forest
- It incorporates different materials which may include
traditional sculptural materials as well as videos and
digital media

LEEROY NEW (1986)

- General Santos City
- Bakawan Floating Island Project with JULIA
NEBRIJA

Aze Ong
- She is known for her trademark crocheted art
pieces.
- She exhibited in Yuchenco Museum 8.83-
meter-high crochet installation entitled
Liwanag sa Kawalan ng Kulay (Light in the
Absence of Color) and Liwanag at the Cultural
Center of the Philippines.