Edwin and Isaac Sion celebrate their unique art styles.
It is not always inevitable that a son follows in his father’s footsteps, but when they do, it is a testament to a father’s encouragement and love for his son and his craft. In the case of renowned portrait artist Edwin Sion, it was a combination of early mentoring as well as genetic talent that guided his son Isaac to choose his own path as a visual artist.
In a career that has spanned more than four decades, Edwin’s works have been in-demand for their distinct, soulful quality. Although he first became known for his signature sepia portraits, Edwin has broadened his style to include colored portraits in pastels and watercolor on paper. Art enthusiasts have described how he literally puts life into a portrait by emphasizing his subjects’ eyes, making them the focal point of the composition. Sketching and outlining the portrait in sepia first, Edwin then finishes in watercolor, said to be the most difficult medium for portraiture. The final artwork has a classic, dreamlike, ethereal quality.
It was Philippine STAR publisher and art patron Betty Go-Belmonte who helped launch Edwin’s career when she chose his now-famous portrait of President Cory Aquino as the cover of the Fookien Times 1986-1987 edition. He was then appointed official portrait artist of President Cory’s administration where his portraits of VIP guests including US First Lady Hilllary Clinton, Japanese Prime Minister Noburo Nakshita, Taiwanese President Li Teng Hui, and US Secretary of State George Shultz were all given as gifts by Malacañang. Edwin was likewise commissioned to do the portraits of all the country’s House Speakers, now proudly gracing the walls of Congress.
Edwin has since become a sought-after portrait artist for celebrities, as well as prominent political and society figures. His long list of clients now includes Sen. Manny Pacquiao, Secretary of Finance Sonny Dominguez, broadcast journalist Mel Tiangco and Ambassador Isabel Caro Wilson. His most recent work is a beautifully rendered portrait of Congressman Mikee Romero’s family.
Edwin’s three children grew up surrounded by their father’s work and have expressed themselves through different art forms. It was Isaac, however, who eventually followed in his dad’s footsteps. He feels it was destined, reflecting, “It was carved into me to become an artist.” Working alongside his father, Isaac shares their favorite bonding time together. “It’s when he asks me if the portrait he is working on already looks like the actual person,” he says with a smile.
The father stresses that he never pressed an artistic career onto his son. “I didn’t pressure him to paint when he was younger. I just gave him drawing materials and he started drawing like any child. I noticed more depth and maturity in his art when he was in high school so I encouraged him to keep on painting and drawing,” Edwin proudly shares. “I knew my son had it in him. I think it’s really in the genes.”
Isaac is now distinguishing himself in murals, abstract paintings and his own unique style of portraiture. He shares that he is partial to biomorphic shapes, patterns and vivid colors; Jean-Michel Basquiat’s street art style is also an inspiration. Isaac’s love for nature’s bright colors and images, particularly plants, moss, lichens and fungi, is reflected in his very colorful artworks.
Since graduating from UP Fine Arts, Isaac has accomplished several milestones. His large painting titled “Inang Bayan” now hangs in the House of Representatives and a mural featuring Philippine traditional textiles for the ASEAN Summit, commissioned by the DOT and NCCA, can be seen along the halls of NAIA Terminal 3. He has shown in several exhibits including “Art by the Square Foot” in VUFA, Hanoi, Vietnam; “What Pillow is Not” at the Mag:Net Gallery Katipunan; and “Studio Works 2013” at the UP College of Fine Arts. This year alone he participated in three exhibits: “Diversiform” at the Gallery Robert, “Alcohol” at the Gravity Art Space and “Crumpled to retain shape” at the Mono8 Gallery.
Isaac has built a following for his commissioned works as well. He recently gained accolades for his acrylic on canvas portrait of celebrity Bea Alonzo, commissioned by GMA Pinoy TV.
From father to son, from classic to modernist, the Sion portraits live on.
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Inquiries for this Christmas season can be directed to Ms. Thess Sion at 0917-9486494 or theresasion520@gmail.com.