MANILA, Philippines - Crucible Workshop, in partnership with the Ayala Museum, will launch SYM: The Power of Struggle, an uplifting monograph on Sofronio Ylanan Mendoza (SYM), a Filipino-Canadian artist who beat the odds to pursue his passion for painting, on Nov. 25, 6 p.m. at the Ayala Museum, Makati City.
The book highlights the 76-year-old artist’s evolution of important artworks from his earliest years to the present. The art biography coffee table book was printed in Canada. Pre-eminent author Alfredo Roces, in collaboration with co-author Sandie Gillis, explores the fascinating life and masterful works of SYM. It features 236 colorful pieces of SYM’s paintings, studies and drawings.
A retrospective exhibit will also be held from Nov. 19 to Dec. 25 at the Art Center in SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City. The formal opening night is slated on Nov. 27 at 6 p.m.
Painter-teacher SYM is the founder of a school of artists known as the Dimasalang Groups I (1968) and II (1970s) in Manila. In the 1980s, he founded Dimasalang III in Canada.
Born of humble folk in the island of Cebu, SYM pursued his love for painting in the proletarian districts of post-war Manila. He made a living out of taking whatever painting jobs that came his way commercial signs, billboards as well as selling his paintings in the popular art shops along Mabini St., Ermita, Manila.
SYM bagged the first prize in an on-the-spot painting competition sponsored by Shell Oil Company in 1967 and quickly established himself as a figurative painter. SYM migrated to Vancouver, Canada in 1981 where he soon found his niche as an artist and art teacher.
For information, call Chari Elinzano or Inas Amoyo at 635-6061.