Gallery XIX (Pillars of Philippine Modernism), a permanent exhibit at the third floor of the National Museum of Fine Arts, pays homage to the paintings and sketches of National Artists Hernando R. Ocampo (1911-1978), Ang Kiukok (1931-2005), and Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera (b. 1942).
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Most of these pieces were completed in the 1950s to 1970s, ranging from the early days of Modernism in the Philippines to the height of its popularity.
Ang Kiukok, who first attained prominence in the Philippine arts scene in the 1960s, had a distinct style, classified by some as “figurative expressionism,” fused influences from cubism, surrealism and expressionism. He was awarded National Artist of the Philippines for Visual Arts in 2001.
The colorful and striking paintings of this renowned Filipino Expressionist portrayed a variety of cubist-like figures such as a mother embracing her infant, grisly crucifixions, tables holding an array of fish and fruit, stray dogs, and screaming subjects.
Ang Kiukok was equally at home on canvas and paper and four of his works are displayed at the gallery – one watercolor on paper (Ink Fish), tempera on paper (Watermelon, 1977) and two oil on canvas paintings (Fish Forms, 1965; and Towards the Graveyard, 1955).
Benedicto “BenCab” Reyes Cabrera, awarded National Artist of the Philippines for Visual Arts (Painting) in 2006, has been noted as “arguably the best-selling painter of his generation of Filipino artists.
On display at the gallery are two acrylic on canvas paintings (Woman in Distress, 2007; and Self, 1965) and three oil on canvas paintings (Manggagawa – Laborer, 1968; Imaginary Portrait of Isabel, 1969; and Sabel, 2008).
Also on display are a series of 9 pen and ink on paper drawings (1968) and a pen and wash on paper drawing (Predestined, 1967).
Hernando Ruiz Ocampo, a self-taught painter and a leading member of the pre-war Thirteen Moderns whose abstract works that left an indelible mark on Philippine modern art, was a leading radical modernist artist in the Philippines. He was awarded National Artist of the Philippines for Visual Arts in 1991.
His art, described to be “abstract compositions of biological forms, seemed to oscillate, quiver, inflame and multiply” like mutations.
His pen and ink on paper works include Bunker 68 (a series of 2 drawings, 1968), Palayok (clay pot, 3 drawings), Female Figures (series of 4 drawings, 1951 and 1969), Abstract (series of 4 drawings), Flowers (1978) and Parol (1968).
Also on display are two undated, 3 ft. x 5 ft. oil on canvas paintings from a series of the Stations of the Cross made by Carlos “Botong” Francisco (1912-1969), both on loan from the GSIS Collection – Station No. 3 (Jesus Falls the First Time) and Station No. 5 (Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus Carry the Cross). Botong was awarded National Artist of the Philippines for Painting in 1973.
These two are part of the Don Bosco Chapel Series of paintings (including a gigantic crucifix scene) commissioned by the Salesian Fathers for the small church inside Don Bosco Mandaluyong and painted in barely 5 months in 1960.
To raise funds for various poor and marginalized youth projects, the 14 panels were later sold, by the panel, by the Salesian Fathers . In the mid-1980s, Station 1-7 was disposed off and Stations 8-14, including the magnificent crucifixion altarpiece, were sold at a higher value. These stations, minus the altarpiece, are now part of the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ collection. Stations 1, 2, 4, 6 and 7 are now in the hands of anonymous individuals.
Gallery XIX: 3/F, National Museum of Fine Arts (NMFA), Padre Burgos Avenue, Ermita, Manila 1000, Metro Manila. Tel: (632) 8527-1215 and (632) 8298-1100. Email: inquiry@nationalmuseum.gov.ph. Website: nationalmuseum.gov.ph. Open Tuesdays to Sundays, 9 AM – 4PM. Admission is free. Coordinates: 14°35′13″N 120°58′52″E.