What artworks do you like most and who is your favorite artist?
August 20, 2006 | 12:00am
Pablo Picasso once said, "Painting is just another way of keeping a diary." If this is true, we as an audience are privileged to be getting glimpses into the diaries and innermost thoughts of artists – and even perhaps their souls. Art moves people, changes the world, and lets us see truths in the world around us. And finally, art polarizes people whose opinions of whether a piece is or isn’t a work of art has been the subject of countless satires, plays, books and newspaper articles. To paraphrase an old cliché, art is in the eye of the beholder.
AL TENGCO, businessman: The works of Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele. In the Philippines my favorite artist is Benedicto "Bencab" Cabrera. I admire his progressive and young, spirited approach to art.
RACHY CUNA, floral architect and stylist: Generally I like modern Filipino paintings, but I am particularly in love with Jose Joya’s abstracts, Betsy Westendorp de Brias’ flowers, Juvenal Sanso’s landscapes, and Allison David’s fresh and refreshing outlook on women, landscapes and flowers.
JULIUS BABAO, TV news anchor: I have many favorite paintings in my collection, among them are works by artists Mark Justiniani, Manuel Ocampo, Alfredo Esquillo, Louie Cordero, Jason Oliveria, John Santos and Manny Garibay Another favorite is one by Elmer Borlongan called "Hindi Lang Pang-pamilya Pang-kalsada Pa." What I like about Borlongan is that he presents slices of life, even miserable conditions, in a humorous and positive light.
Architect ANTON R. MENDOZA: Bencab, because he made our national costume international through his work. He made an icon of a poor, dirty lady through Sabel.
MARIVIC MADRIGAL VASQUEZ, art aficionado: The artwork I admire and want to possess is the larawan by Bencab called "Woman in a Yellow Scarf" because to me it depicts the strength and character of a Filipina woman both past and present. My favorite artist is Bencab.
DAISY PAYUMO, educator: Leonardo Da Vinci, the best model of the high Renaissance man. He was a painter, sculptor, musician, architect, engineer and scientist. His works influenced the course of Italian art for more than a century after his death.
FLORINA H. CAPPISTRANO-BAKER, PhD, Ayala Museum director: The most impressive works for me are those that successfully combine three elements that I find most important: truth that resonates on different levels with different audiences; technical virtuosity and discipline; and intellectual depth. I’ve had many favorite artists at different points in my life and for different reasons. As a teen, I was fascinated with Vincent van Gogh for his passion and anguish – emotions with which most adolescents easily identify. My first encounter with "Starry Night" at the old MoMa in New York City was mind-boggling. More recently, I find that there is comfort in sedate works; perhaps this is a reflection of personal journeys and needs that ultimately are what move and attract us to particular works. I find Vermeer and his clever use of the camera obscura fascinating. Among Philippine artists, I find Justiniano Asuncion most intriguing. His international contributions, predating Juan Luna’s spectacular triumphs in Madrid and Paris, haven’t been adequately explored.
KAREN SANTOS, business-woman: My art of choice has always been traditional in style with an Asian subject matter. Of the living artists, I am particularly keen on Dindon Cordova’s work. I love the way he paints Philippine plants in their living shape and natural color, and of the late artists I have always admired Jean Le Mayeur’s work. I love his landscapes peopled with Balinese ladies and his use of an impressionistic palette.
INO MANALO, Metro-politan Museum director: One living visual artist that I find most fascinating is Jaime de Guzman. At one point he turned away from painting and became a potter. Among the deceased artists, I would single out Botong Francisco. His artistry was intertwined with his community in Angono, Rizal.
JOSE MARI P. TRENAS, corporate lawyer and art aficionado: Among the Filipino artists that are no longer living, I admire National Artist Victorio Edades. At a time when Amorsolo and his bucolic landscapes and dalagang bukid reigned supreme, he presented a modern option to Philippine modern art that was another way of presenting reality. Among the Filipino artists still living, my favorite is Bencab. Utilizing images of our colonial past, he presents them in a new way and gives new meaning to Philippine modern art. My favorite artwork is a painting by Bencab of a 19th-century modern Filipino woman in a traje de mestiza. I first saw this painting in Baguio at Bencab’s studio when he was just starting work on it in 2000. It was featured on the cover of the book At Home With Filipino Artists by Ma. Allesandra L. Hermano and Josephine Labrador Hermano. When it was exhibited in Singapore as "Long-Haired Woman," I was lucky enough to acquire it. Every time I look at it, I see new details that make me fall in love with it all over again.
AL TENGCO, businessman: The works of Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele. In the Philippines my favorite artist is Benedicto "Bencab" Cabrera. I admire his progressive and young, spirited approach to art.
RACHY CUNA, floral architect and stylist: Generally I like modern Filipino paintings, but I am particularly in love with Jose Joya’s abstracts, Betsy Westendorp de Brias’ flowers, Juvenal Sanso’s landscapes, and Allison David’s fresh and refreshing outlook on women, landscapes and flowers.
JULIUS BABAO, TV news anchor: I have many favorite paintings in my collection, among them are works by artists Mark Justiniani, Manuel Ocampo, Alfredo Esquillo, Louie Cordero, Jason Oliveria, John Santos and Manny Garibay Another favorite is one by Elmer Borlongan called "Hindi Lang Pang-pamilya Pang-kalsada Pa." What I like about Borlongan is that he presents slices of life, even miserable conditions, in a humorous and positive light.
Architect ANTON R. MENDOZA: Bencab, because he made our national costume international through his work. He made an icon of a poor, dirty lady through Sabel.
MARIVIC MADRIGAL VASQUEZ, art aficionado: The artwork I admire and want to possess is the larawan by Bencab called "Woman in a Yellow Scarf" because to me it depicts the strength and character of a Filipina woman both past and present. My favorite artist is Bencab.
DAISY PAYUMO, educator: Leonardo Da Vinci, the best model of the high Renaissance man. He was a painter, sculptor, musician, architect, engineer and scientist. His works influenced the course of Italian art for more than a century after his death.
FLORINA H. CAPPISTRANO-BAKER, PhD, Ayala Museum director: The most impressive works for me are those that successfully combine three elements that I find most important: truth that resonates on different levels with different audiences; technical virtuosity and discipline; and intellectual depth. I’ve had many favorite artists at different points in my life and for different reasons. As a teen, I was fascinated with Vincent van Gogh for his passion and anguish – emotions with which most adolescents easily identify. My first encounter with "Starry Night" at the old MoMa in New York City was mind-boggling. More recently, I find that there is comfort in sedate works; perhaps this is a reflection of personal journeys and needs that ultimately are what move and attract us to particular works. I find Vermeer and his clever use of the camera obscura fascinating. Among Philippine artists, I find Justiniano Asuncion most intriguing. His international contributions, predating Juan Luna’s spectacular triumphs in Madrid and Paris, haven’t been adequately explored.
KAREN SANTOS, business-woman: My art of choice has always been traditional in style with an Asian subject matter. Of the living artists, I am particularly keen on Dindon Cordova’s work. I love the way he paints Philippine plants in their living shape and natural color, and of the late artists I have always admired Jean Le Mayeur’s work. I love his landscapes peopled with Balinese ladies and his use of an impressionistic palette.
INO MANALO, Metro-politan Museum director: One living visual artist that I find most fascinating is Jaime de Guzman. At one point he turned away from painting and became a potter. Among the deceased artists, I would single out Botong Francisco. His artistry was intertwined with his community in Angono, Rizal.
JOSE MARI P. TRENAS, corporate lawyer and art aficionado: Among the Filipino artists that are no longer living, I admire National Artist Victorio Edades. At a time when Amorsolo and his bucolic landscapes and dalagang bukid reigned supreme, he presented a modern option to Philippine modern art that was another way of presenting reality. Among the Filipino artists still living, my favorite is Bencab. Utilizing images of our colonial past, he presents them in a new way and gives new meaning to Philippine modern art. My favorite artwork is a painting by Bencab of a 19th-century modern Filipino woman in a traje de mestiza. I first saw this painting in Baguio at Bencab’s studio when he was just starting work on it in 2000. It was featured on the cover of the book At Home With Filipino Artists by Ma. Allesandra L. Hermano and Josephine Labrador Hermano. When it was exhibited in Singapore as "Long-Haired Woman," I was lucky enough to acquire it. Every time I look at it, I see new details that make me fall in love with it all over again.
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