ARTISTS PAINTING
FEDERICO A. AGUILAR
(June 6, 1932 - February 2, 2011)
Ø Named as the National Artist of the Philippines for Visual Arts (Painting) in 2009.
Ø He was an acrylic and oil painter, abstract sculptor, and produced ceramics, tapestries, and relief sculptures.
Ø His works are known for their refinement, ease, and playful expressionist and cubist elements (NCCA).
FERNANDO AMORSOLO
(May 30, 1892 - April 24, 1972)
Ø Awarded the Order of National Artist for Visual Arts in 1972.
Ø He is known as the Father of Philippine Realism for his rural landscape paintings and his signature backlighting technique.
Ø After graduating from UP, he worked as a part-time instructor and commercial artist.
Ø His famous works include "Bombing of the Intendencia," "The Burning of Manila," and "Planting Rice." As the first National Artist, he was dubbed the "Grand Old Man of Philippine Art."
BENEDICTO R. CABRERA
(Born April 10, 1942)
Ø National Artist for Visual Arts (Painting) in 2006, is a Filipino painter known as "arguably the best-selling painter of his generation."
Ø He exhibited in the Philippines, Asia, Europe, and the U.S., receiving many awards, including Gawad CCP Para sa Sining in 1992 and an honorary Doctor of Humanities from the University of the Philippines in 2009.
Ø His exploration of form contributed to figurative expression in Philippine art. Notable works include "Bali," "Cordillera," "Edo," "Familia," "Larawan," and "Sabel."
FRANCISCO COCHING
(January 29, 1919-September 1, 1998)
Ø National Artist for Visual Arts in 2014, is known as the "Dean of Filipino Illustrators."
Ø His illustrations and novels combine fertile imagination, storytelling, and craftsmanship, shaping Philippine folk and popular culture.
Ø Notable works include "Lapu-Lapu," "Sagisag ng Lahing Pilipino," "Marabini," "Haring Ulupong," "Pusakal," "Talipandas," and "El Vibora."
VICTORIO C. EDADES
(December 13, 1895–March 7, 1985)
Ø National Artist for Visual Arts in 1976, was a Filipino painter and leader of the Thirteen Moderns.
Ø Known as the Father of Modern Philippine Painting, he pioneered modernism in Philippine art, focusing on the struggles of the working class.
Ø Edades received a Doctor in Fine Arts, Honoris Causa from the University of Santo Tomas.
Ø His notable works include "The Sketch," "The Builders," "Interaction," "Demoiselles Davao," "Kasaysayan," "The Artist and the Model," "Portrait of the Professor," "Japanese Girl," "Mother and Daughter," "The Wrestlers," and "Poinsettia Girl.P
CARLOS V. FRANCISCO
(November 4, 1914–March 31, 1969)
Ø Posthumously named National Artist for Visual Arts (Painting) in 1973, was a muralist from Angono, Rizal.
Ø Known for reviving the forgotten art of mural, he remained its most distinguished practitioner for nearly three decades.
Ø His historical pieces include "Blood Compact," "First Mass at Limasawa," "The Martyrdom of Rizal," "Bayanihan," "Fiesta," "Sandugo," "Serenade," and "Muslim Betrothal." His murals, like "Pageant of Commerce" and those at the Philippine General Hospital, were later restored. Francisco died in poverty from tuberculosis.
ANG KIUKOK
(1931–2005)
Ø National Artist for Visual Arts (Painting) in 2001.
Ø Was a Filipino painter of Chinese-Filipino descent. He studied at the University of Santo Tomas, mentored by Vicente Manansala.
Ø Known for his cubist style, Kiukok became both a critical and commercially popular artist.
Ø His works, reflecting the terror and angst of political turmoil, include "Geometric Landscape," "Pace," "Crucifixion," "Pieta," and "The Seat Figure."
CESAR LEGASPI
(April 2, 1917–April 7, 1994)
Ø National Artist for Visual Arts (Painting) in 1990.
Ø Was a Filipino painter born in Tondo, Manila. Initially an art director, he transitioned to full-time visual art in the 1960s.
Ø His early works, like "Man and Woman" and "Gadgets," depicted the anguish of Manila's beggars and laborers.
Ø Using geometric fragmentation, his art fused social commentary with modern and mythical elements. He led the Saturday Group of artists from 1978 until his death. Notable works include "Diggers," "Façade," "Ovary," "Triptych," "Bayanihan," "Struggle," and "The Survivor."
JOSE T. JOYA
(June 3, 1931–May 11, 1995)
Ø National Artist for Visual Arts (Painting) in 1983.
Ø Was a Filipino abstract artist, printmaker, mixed media artist, and former dean of the University of the Philippines' College of Fine Arts.
Ø A leading proponent of abstract expressionism, he embraced kinetic energy and spontaneity in painting, mastering gestural art.
Ø Known for using rice paper in collages, which promoted transparency, a folk art characteristic, his notable works include "Barter of Panay," "Christ Stripped of His Clothes," "Granadean Arabesque," "Dimensions of Fear," "Vista beyond Vision," "Torogan," and "Playground of the Mind."
ARTURO R. LUZ
(born November 20, 1926)
Ø National Artist for Visual Arts (Painting) in 1997.
Ø Was a painter, printmaker, sculptor, designer, and art administrator.
Ø A founding member of the Neo-realist school, his minimalist, geometric abstract works embody modernist virtues of competence, order, and elegance. His art, from the "Carnival" series to "Cyclist" paintings, elevated Filipino aesthetic vision with sophisticated simplicity.
Ø Luz nurtured a Filipino artistic community focused on minimalist designs. Notable works include "Vendador de Flores," "Procession," "Night Glows," "Cities of the Past," and "Black and White."
VICENTE S. MANANSALA
(January 22, 1910–August 22, 1981)
Ø National Artist for Visual Arts (Painting) in 1981.
Ø Was a Philippine cubist painter and illustrator from Macabebe, Pampanga. A graduate of the UP School of Fine Arts, he introduced transparent cubism in the early 1960s.
Ø His notable works include "Madonna of the Slums," "Jeepney," "Market Vendor," "Kalabaw," "Bangkusay Seascape," "Banaklaot," and "Reclining Mother and Child." He also created the "Stations of the Cross" murals in the Parish Church of the Holy Sacrifice.
HERNANDO R. OCAMPO
(April 28, 1911–December 28, 1978)
Ø National Artist for Visual Arts (1991). Hernando R. Ocampo was a modernist painter, fictionist, and playwright.
Ø His abstract works, inspired by Philippine culture and nature, left a lasting impact.
Ø Notable paintings include "Ina ng Balon," "Genesis," and "Mother and Child."
Ø His art depicted post-WWII realities and Philippine landscapes.