National Artist of the Philippines

The National Artist of the Philippines

• According to critic Dr. Nicanor Tiongson, contemporary artists create art that contributes to social change

Being an Artist for the Nation

• In 1972, Fernando Amorsolo was named the first National Artist of the Philippines
• The National Artist then became part of the Order of National Artists
• The Presidential Proclamation No. 1001, s. 1972, created the Award and Decoration of National Artist

National Artists Defined

• The National Artist award is the country's highest honor given to an artist
• The NCAA says that the award "embodies the nation's highest ideals in the humanities and aesthetic expression through the distinct achievements of individual citizens."

Requirements to be a National Artist

• Be a living Filipino citizen for the last 10 years prior to nomination
• If deceased, was a Filipino citizen at the time of their death after the award was established in 1972
• Helped build a Filipino sense of nationhood through the content and form of their works
• Pioneered a mode of creative expression or style that impacted succeeding generations of artists
• Created a significant body of works and/or consistently displayed excellence
• Enjoyed broad acceptance through prestigious national or international recognition
• Received critical acclaim and/or reviews of their works, as well as respect and esteem from peers in an artistic discipline

The incentives for Filipino National Artists from the NCAA include

• The rank and the title of National Artist
• A gold-plated medallion and citation
• A monthly allowance of no less than P50,000
• Life insurance policy coverage
• A place of honor at state functions, ceremonies, and cultural presentations
• A state funeral prepared and paid for by the government
• For living awardees, a minimum cash award of P200,000 (tax-free), a minimum lifetime monthly stipend of P50,000, and medical/hospitalization benefits not exceeding P750,000 per year
• For deceased awardees, a one-time minimum cash award of P150,000 (tax-free) for the legal recipient

Contemporary Artists and Indigenous Materials

• Contemporary artists can be inspired by many factors, which dictate their work
• Environment, experiences, culture, and heritage all contribute to their inspiration

Contemporary Artists Who Use Indigenous Materials (Luzon)

Rodel Tapaya

• Rodel Tapaya is a multi-awarded Filipino artist from Bulacan
• He uses folk subjects and myths from Filipino folktales such as manananggals and tikbalangs
• These mythical elements are used as a commentary on the ills of society
• Tapaya's works include Cane of Kabunian: Numbered but cannot be counted, Deconstruction, Donsadat, and The Magic Dog, The Banquet, Modern Mananggals, Mountain Fantasies

Dexter Sy

• Dexter Sy was born in Manila in 1979
• His mixed Filipino-Chinese heritage inspires much of his art, he uses the differences and clashes that arise from it as his muse
• Sy says his art is not just about the piece itself but also the research that goes with it.
• Sy's works include The Self Recognized by the Others (2015), Identity Crisis, and DNA (2015)

John Paul Antido

• Born in Antipolo in 1982, John Paul Antido is a Filipino contemporary painter
• His paintings use impasto techniques, with paint applied so thickly that the brush strokes are visible
• His Filipino heritage is seen in figurative subjects wearing traditional Filipino costumes like the baro't saya and bakya in contemporary settings
• His paintings are said to be an allegory for the situation of Filipinos whose psyche lives in two contradicting eras compared to the global situation
• Antido's works include Filipinism, Balanghai, Byaheng Pansitan, and Guitar Player

Aze Ong

• Aze Ong grew up in Antipolo City and is known for her colorful and organic forms made of crocheted threads
• She volunteered as a teacher in Kibangay, Lanpatan Bukidnon and that is how she developed her style and art
• Ong shares that her crocheted masterpieces parallel the creative process of the Talaandigs
• Ong's notable work is Liwanag sa Kawalan ng Kulay

Alma Quinto

• Born in 1961 in Urdaneta, Pangasinan
• She uses her talent and art to help communities affected by natural and human-made calamities
• Quinto believes that art has a social responsibility to the community and that it can be used as a tool for healing and collaboration
• Her work features multi-colored dragonflies

Ronald Riel Jaramillo Hilario

• Born in San Vicente, Ilocos Sur in 1976, he is currently based in Antipolo City
• Hilario comes from a family famous for creating wood-carved santos and furniture
• His sculptural works have the unmistakable feel of wood-carved religious iconography of Catholicism
• He is a sculptor, painter, and art historian, as well as curator for the Pinto Art Museum in Antipolo, Rizal
• Hilario's works include Art of Volunteerism and Giving Spirit A requiem for Riel Hilario

Clifford Espinosa

• Filipino architect, artist, and environmentalist Clifford Espinosa gets inspiration from Indigenous forms of crafts
• He applies the techniques he learned from these traditional crafts to his own work, such as assembling and creating furniture without the use of nails
• Espinosa believes that by replicating these Indigenous techniques, he also preserves and honors Philippine heritage
• His work includes LuzViMin

Ricky Ambagan

• Ricky Ambagan finds inspiration in the present daily grind of Filipinos
• Inspired by the chaotic and crowded streets of Manila, his collection of fifteen paintings on burlap depicts the daily happenings using distortion as a style
• Ambagan likens city dwellers to ants preoccupied with their businesses
• His works include Joni (Omaggio to Federico Anderotti), 2018, Paglalakbay (series), 2016, Crossroads, 2020, Unearth, 2018

Visayas Artists: Peter James Fantinalgo and Moreen Austria

• In 2016, Visayan artists Peter James Fantinalgo and Moreen Austria collaborated to create the collection titled Lawig that celebrates the unique relationship between the neighboring islands of Negros and Panay
• Lawig means “umbilical cord” in Hiligaynon, which is perfect given the islands’ intertwined history
• The collection hopes for people to reflect and reevaluate what they know about their region historically and sociologically

Nunelucio Alvarado

• Nunelucio Alvarado has been a prominent name in the art scene in the Philippines and in Southeast Asia since the 1970s
• He uses his work to create awareness of the Sakadas of Negros and the other marginalized people of society
• His many paintings are often rooted in the problems his home province faces, namely, injustice and poverty
• Alvarado's early works illustrated the sugar farmers indebted from birth to the landowners, often very bold in their expression and emotions

Manuel Pañares

• Cebuano painter Manuel Panares is known for his historical themed paintings.
• He was born in December 1946 and began to paint when he was three
• He has long favored painting subjects dealing with etymology and history
• His paintings exude expression and life thus becoming tableaus of historical events
• Panares believes in the power of art as a learning medium
• He creates realistic paintings of Cebu and Mindanao’s historical events
• Museums and institutions often use his works as visuals for exhibits

Martino Abellana

• Martino Abellana also known as “Noy Tinong,” was an important personality in the development of art in Cebu and the rest of the Visayas
• He is acknowledged as the “Dean of Cebuano Painters.”
• Abellana's exposure to the arts started at an early age since he came from a family of artists
• He was an in-demand muralist and portraiture artist, but he is also known for his seascapes depicting the beautiful shores and beaches of Cebu
• Abellana served as head of the Fine Arts Department of the University of the Philippines, Cebu
• He influenced generations of Visayan artists

Mindanao Artists: Mariano Amar Catague

• Mariano "Anoy” Amar Catague, born in 1967, was a Davao artist who depicts the Lumads in his figurative paintings
• His passion for the indigenous tribes began when he interacted with the Manuvu tribe in Agusan del Norte
• He dedicated his artistic talents to the Lumads
• In his paintings, Catague often shows the native people in the serenity of their homeland
• Catague paints them in their tribal attire, playing their indigenous musical instruments or doing their ordinary chores

Rameer Tawasil

• The Vinta has always been an iconic symbol of Zamboanga thus Zamboanga artist Rameer Tawasil hopes to use his paintings to create a revival of the colorful vintas
• In his artworks, he often uses vibrant and bold colors and indigenous Muslim motifs inspired by the okirs of the Maranao

Saudi Ahmad

• Saudi Ahmad is inspired by the rich culture and tradition of the Filipino Muslims
• His subjects are often genre paintings of community life, with his figures garbed in colorful and detailed costumes
• Ahmad believes that through his work he can connect the values of the past to the present making it more relevant to the younger generation

Bert Monterona

• Bert Monterona, originally from Iligan City, is now based in Vancouver, Canada
• He admits that the works that he does are heavily influenced by his indigenous roots
• Monterona's works are known all over the world for his use of color, human figures, symbols, and motifs, as well as his tapestry paintings and bamboo stick paintings reflecting his Filipino heritage

Abdulmari Asia Imao

• The late Abdulmari Asia Imao was one of the most well-known visual artists from Sulu, Mindanao
• He was recognized as a National Artist in 2006.
• Imao is known for his stylized depictions of the indigenous motifs such as the okir, sarimanok, and the naga.

Summarizations

• Rodel Tapaya uses folk subjects such as Filipino myths and tales to his art.
• Dexter Sy uses his Filipino-Chinese heritage as inspiration and subject for his art.
• Ronald Riel Jaramillo Hilario uses traditional wood carving techniques to create his contemporary sculptures.
• Clifford Espinosa uses recycled indigenous materials for his functional and beautiful furniture pieces.
• John Paul Antido depicts his subjects in traditional Filipino attire in contemporary settings and situations.
• Ricky V. Ambagan looks to the present Filipino daily grind for inspiration in his collection of paintings.
• Nunelucio Alvarado uses his work to create awareness of the Sakadas of Negros and other marginalized people of society.
• Manuel Panares creates realistic paintings in Cebu's historical events as a way for his people to learn more about their history.
• Martino Abellana is acknowledged as the "Dean of Cebuano Painters."
• Mariano "Anoy” Amar Catague depicts the Lumads in his figurative paintings to bring awareness to the social injustices the natives are experiencing.
• Rameer Tawasil often uses vibrant and bold colors and makes use of indigenous Muslim motifs inspired by the okirs of the Maranao.
• Saudi Ahmad's works are inspired by the rich culture and tradition of the Filipino Muslims.
• Bert Monterona is heavily influenced by his indigenous roots and known for his innovative use of indigenous materials for his art, such as tapestry and bamboo stick paintings
• Adbulmari Asia Imao is known for his stylized depictions of the indigenous motifs such as the okir, sarimanok, and the naga.