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 publics 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 didnt 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.

Bernice M. Cid

Source:www.manilatimes.net/national/2005/may/16/yehey/life/20050516lifl.html

2) Artist:Ang Kiuko

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 publics views about life.

Bernice M. Cid

www.inq7.net/lif/2004/jun/07/text_2-2-p.htm

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. There is not

one drop of classical style in all if his masterpieces. 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. Also among his various works is the very familiar, Sunburst, which is

a twelve meter sculpture made up of twenty one rays of the sun and thirty three spears in copper, bronze

and stainless steel that decorates the ceiling of the Manila Peninsula Manila. What sets him apart from other

artists is that he has the talent to unify different materials and experiment with them. He is a very

innovative artist who explores the unknown, but also probes the existing. According to Abueva, an Abueva

sculpture is known for its simplicity with the maximum expression of art. As the leading artist in

contemporary Philippine sculpture, Abueva has set a new standard that other artists have failed to copy.

Mawi Uy

Reference: The National Artists of The Philippine by: Visitacion R. de la Torre

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 1800s until the 1950s. 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. Amorsolos 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 Amorsolos illusion of the light is a flattery to him. Indeed, Amorsolos art is spread evenly in the 7,107

islands of the Philippines. Much talent was given to him and in return, he has given this back to his

motherland and each of his paintings shares the rich culture and heritage of our country. His glorious

techniques and contribution to Philippine art have earned him the title of national artist for painting.

Mawi Uy

Reference: The National Artists of The Philippines by: Quijano de Manila

5) Artist:Hernando Ocampo

Painting: The Contrast

Hernando Ocampos 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.

Joyce Santos

Source: Pamana: The Jorge B. Vargas Art Collection

Author: Santiago Albano Pilar

http://www.ncca.gov.ph/culture&arts/profile/natlartists/visual-arts/ocampo.htm

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 Amorsolos 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.

By: Joyce Santos

Sources: Pamana: The Jorge B. Vargas Art Collection

Author: Santiago Albano Pilar

http://www.ncca.gov.ph/culture&arts/profile/natlartists/visual-arts/edades.htm

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.

Lorenzos obsession with the countrys 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.

Edson Byron K. Sy

Source: Philippine Daily Express

November 17, 1978

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. Riveras 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.
Edson Byron K. Sy

Source: Pamana: The Jorge B. Vargas Art Collection

(by Santiago Albano Pilar; published on 1992 by Committee on Arts

and Culture,Vargas Centennial Celebrations, and the University of the Philippines)

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 Lunas 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.

By: Karen Anne L. Sadian

Source: The National Artists of the Philippines

http://rds.yahoo.com/S=96062883/K=Spoliarium/v=2/SID=w/l=IVR/SIG=12ihsevf1/EXP=1127103704/*-

http://www.columbretis.com/Paintings_the_wordless_wonders.html
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 countrys 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. In these two masterpieces, Guillermo

Tolentino successfully portrays what Filiipinos yearn for and what they want to achieve during the time of the

Spaniards. Because of this, he is considered one of the most known national artists in the Philippines.
 Juan Luna
Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo
Fernando Amorsolo
Fabian de la Rosa
Jorge Pineda
Victorio Edades
Carlos Francisco
Arturo Luz
Anita Magsaysay-Ho
Vicente Manansala
Hernando Ocampo
Lee Aguinaldo
Fernando Zobel de Ayala
Manuel Ocampo