CH2 Lesson 1 How Is Philippine Art. A Survey On The Markers of Our Artistic Culture

I’M A FILIPINO BUT I DON’T KNOW MANANSALA!
REDISCOVERING
PHILIPPINE ART
Philippine art in general is romantic and even nostalgic. Before we were influenced by Westerners, we were
already developing our own sets of culture and values. During the colonial period, gradually, we became infused by
foreign influence. Ina while, it is quite saddening how the good heritage of old Filipino manners, ethics, and even cultural
markers like our own “baybayin” were superimposed by newer trends. Most of us, especially in our generation,
cultivated the idea that old fashioned is old school. Even the beautiful way of courtship is gone in the mist of the past:
no more haranas and fewer dalagang Filipinas. Philippine art, on the other hand, has been conscious of these changes
and has become a way to reminisce and remember our old virtues and rich roots. That is why it is important to study
Philippine art. It is part of our identity and that simply because we have a beautiful culture worth celebrating.
LESSON 1: HOW IS PHILIPPINE ART? A SURVEY ON THE MARKERS

OF OUR ARTISTIC CULTURE
Overview
Applying the knowledge of art criticism here, we can see how such painting rendition of Amorsolo’s work mirrors the
functions of art we have studied before. The subject matter, the context, the imagery, and even the use of light here
obviously signifies something local, hence presenting itself as a reminder of our culture and even a sense of identity.
We do have an identity. Filipinos are art lovers. We love grandiose and colorful things: these are so evident in our jeepneys,
the colorful decorations of Pahiyas festival, our native pigments, and colors and even our clothes. Sometimes we do not
even have a sense of color harmony because of our love for colorful things. Nothing is wrong with that. Our diversity is
indeed reflected in our art forms and it makes us united and unique.
Fernando Amorsolo’s Baguio scene 1935

ACTIVITY 1:
Look at Fernando Amorsolo’s other works if possible. If not, refer to the example given.
1. Upon closer observation of Amorsolo’s works, why do you think he was dubbed as the “Painter of Philippine Light”?
2. What do you think are the qualities of Philippine art? In your opinion, what makes Philippine art Filipino in style?
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the module, you are expected to:
1. Analyze and critique qualities of Philippine art through some Filipino artists presented.
2. Recognize notable technical characteristics and innovations of Filipino artists.
3. Apply the Filipino technique through a simple creative output
Learning Experiences and self-Assessment Activities (SAA)

Filipino artists are important forces in the formation of our national identity. Images and the culture of making artwork
has power. There are some notable artists who have captured our Filipino sensibilities in their own way:
1. Fernando Amorsolo interpreted the “Philippine Light”
a. We can compare his style with the impressionist painters who also aimed to express the simple beauties of nature
and life. Such artists are Auguste Renoir, Edouard manet, and 19th century portrait artist Auguste Dominique Ingres.
Because of Amorsolo’s expertise on his medium, which is oil, and is sensitivity to light, Amorsolo was able to paint
luminous skin as light strikes it and creates a certain glow. Others even say that you can almost feel the blood rushing
underneath the flesh.
Quick Facts:
Analogous is a type of color harmony which technically means those colors that are next to
each other in the color wheel:
b. He was coined as the master of Philippine Light. This is the kind of light that when it strikes tanned flesh or the
leaves of trees for example, one can immediately see a range of analogous, or related colors such a yellow green,
yellow, and white that appear at the same time and one makes feel the warmth and idyllic scenes of Philippine
provinces and traditions.
2. Vicente Manansala developed his rendition of transparent cubism technique
a. Cubism was pioneered jointly by Pablo Picasso and George Braque and was described to be the most radical
innovation of art “isms” since it contrasted greatly with the classical perception of beauty. It uses overlapping and
multi-perspective geometric shapes and forms of the chosen subject to produce depth.
b. The cubist aspect of Manansala has broader facets and planes than original cubism, so they bring out larger
rhythms and is closer to Synthetic Cubism rather than its earlier phase, which is Analytic Cubism. He further
developed it into transparent cubism, which shows panels of shapes interfacing each other.
c. Unlike Amorsolo, Manansala echoes the proletarian of the United States. His works were non-idyllic: emotions and
backgrounds showing evidence of real events happening at his time like poverty and economic depression, and skin
tones are not luminous but rather kayumanggi.
An example on the application of transparent cubism by Vicente Manansala
3. Hernando R. Ocampo’s style was considered by some critics as the most Filipino painter ever
a. Most of HR Ocampo’s works are purely abstraction, therefore it is hard to pinpoint why he was described as the
“most Filipino” painter ever. However, it is not the content but rather the style of his works where one can see his
unique painterly approach.
b. What is unique in his works are the abstract compositions of biological forms that are portrayed in bold strokes of
colors that seem to oscillate before your eyes. His subject matters are usually nature’s flora and fauna, hence
reflective of the natural beauty of his country.
Hernando R. Ocampo’s works

4. Napoleon Abueva’s modernist but Filipino-themed sculptures
a. Characterized by the planar and geometric look of his sculptures, Abueva veered away from the conservatism of
his mentor, Guillermo Tolentino (known for sculpting the University of the Philippines’ “Oblation”).
b. He kept Filipino themes in his sculptures such as rice planters, mother and child, carabaos, and the like. However,
his bold and edgy interpretation of such themes intensified the kind of spirit present in his dynamic and often
monumental sculptures.
Sculptures of Napoleon Abueva
ACTIVITY 2:
Create a simple drawing or paint a simple abstracted design which best represents your idea of Filipino art. Use your
local roots: where you came from and what you commonly see around you.
Assessment
1. In what ways are the artists different and diverse despite their common goal to depict Filipino nuances?
2. In your opinion, how do their differences in styles help the quality of the art scene in the country?

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I’M A FILIPINO BUT I DON’T KNOW MANANSALA!

LESSON 1: HOW IS PHILIPPINE ART? A SURVEY ON THE MARKERS

Fernando Amorsolo’s Baguio scene 1935

Learning Experiences and self-Assessment Activities (SAA)

1. Fernando Amorsolo interpreted the “Philippine Light”

2. Vicente Manansala developed his rendition of transparent cubism technique

An example on the application of transparent cubism by Vicente Manansala

Hernando R. Ocampo’s works

Sculptures of Napoleon Abueva

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