MANILA, Philippines - Angelito Antonio gives his old themes a new outlook and a new twist in “Masters of Modernism: Angelito Antonio,†which opens on July 12 at Galerie Joaquin Main, 371 P. Guevarra St., San Juan. The show runs until July 22.
The artworks presented in the exhibit are not the traditional Antonio paintings the artist has come to be known for.
“The artworks are freer, more contemporary, looser and less inhibited in style. Each piece is different,†notes Antonio.
Antonio’s work, due to its nascent cubism, have often been compared to those of National Artist Vicente Manansala, who was Antonio’s composition professor at the University of Santo Tomas. But although Manansala’s cubists distortions kept a vigilant eye towards classical anatomy, Antonio’s are far more aggressive.
What Antonio has done for this show, is take his 50 year experience as a visual artist to revisit old themes such as vendors, cock fighters, mother and child motifs. The resultant works are new visual images with strong textural effects thereby providing the viewer with an entirely new experience.
This exhibit is most timely considering that the ranks of Philippine modernist masters continues to thin. Gone are Victorio Edades and the Thirteen Moderns as well as Federico Aguilar Alcuaz, Jose Joya and Ang Kiukok. Among the last remaining pillars of Modernism are Arturo Luz, BenCab, Sanso and Malang. More than ever, there is a need to give focus to the second wave of modernist master which includes Antonio Austria, Justin Nuyda, Norma Belleza, Mario Parial and Angelito Antonio.
For inquiries, call 723-9418 or visit www.galeriejoaquin.com.