National artist

for visual art

NAPOLEON ABUEVA 1930- (YOC:1976)

Considered the Father of Modern Philippine

Sculpture. Abueva is also the youngest awardee
to receive the National Artist award. His works used
varied materials ranging from hardwood to coral
and adobe.
Famous The transfiguration at the Eternal Gardens
Memorial Park, the death mask of Benigno “Ninoy”
Aquino and Fernando Poe jr.
ANG KIUKOK 1931-2005 (YOC:2001)

Was born to immigrant Chines parents Vicente Ang and

Chin Lim. He is one of the most talented and energetic
figures who began his flourishing career during the 1960’s.
his works continue to inspire and influence Filipnos.
Famous works Pieta and Dog Fight
VICTORIO C. EDADES 1895-1985
(YOC:1967)

 Is the Father of Modernism in Philippine Art. Edades showed his

attraction toward the style of impressionists such as Cezanne and
Paul Gauguin early in his career.
 Famous works : the Sketch and Japanese Girl
CESAR LEGASPI 1917-1994 (YOC: 1990)

 Was recognized as the pioneer of the Neorealist movement in the

Philippines. Although he worked on his painting as he was operating
as a magazine illustrator and as artistic director in advertising
agencies, he was able to create masterpieces that made “use of
the geometric fragmentation technique, weaving social comment
and juxtaposing the mythical and modern into his overlapping,
interacting forms with disturbing power and intensify”.
 Famous works: Gadgets and Tree Planting
VICENTE S. MANANSAL 1910-1981
(YOC:1981)

Was extraordinary illustrator and cubist painter Born in

macabebe, Pampanga, Manansala’s paintings depicted
the barrio and city together and were often
characterized.
Famous works: Madona of slums and Birdman
FERNANDO C. AMORSOLO 1892-1972
(YOC: 1972)

THE GRAND OLD MAN OF THE PHILIPPINE ART. He started

his art education as an apprentice at age 13 and formally
enrolled at he Art school of the Liceo de Manila and then
in the University of the Philippines
Works; Defense of a Filipina woman’s Honor and Sunday
Moring Going Town
CARLS “BOTONG” V. FRANCISCO 1912-
1969 (YOC: 1973)

Became famous because of his massive murals

and for his outstanding depiction of historical
pieces
Works: First Mass at Limasawa and The Martydom
of Rizal
ARTURO “ART” R. LUZ 1926- (YOC:1997)

Was a prominent printmaker, sculptor, and administrator

who was named as a national artist for visual arts in 1997.
luz was a minimalist and he used geometric abstracts that
“exemplify an ideal of sublime austerity in expression and
form”.
Famous works: bagong taon and Man with Guitar
J. ELIZALDE NAVARRO
1924-1999 (YOC:1999)

 Born in Antique, Jerry Elizalde Navarro is

both a painter and sculptor whose works
aside from painting and sculpture,
include graphic design, printmaking,
and mask making in hardwood which
“merge the human and the animal”/ he
represented the country at the Sao
Paolo Biennale in brazil for sculpture
 Famous works: Singkil and Is He the
Man?
GUILLERMO E. TOLENTINO 1890-1976 (YOC:1973)

 Was named as National Artist for Visual Arts for his countless
contributions in Philippine sculpture that are iconic and truly
a pride of the Filipino people. He was a master in classical
sculpture, having been “a product of the Revival Period in
Philippine art”.
 Famous works: Oblation and the Bonifacio Monument
JOSE T. JOYA 1931-1995
(YOC: 2003)

 A former dean of the College of Fine Arts of UP,

Jose T. Joya Initiated abstract expressionism in the
country. Abstraction expressionism is the use of
the abstract style to convey strong emotional or
expressive content.
 Famous works: Mariveles and Hilss of Nikko
BENEDICTO “BENCAB” R. CABRERA 1943- (YOC: 2006)

 Also known as “BenCaB”, this national artist is a brillian

painter who has “upheld the primacy of drawing over the
decorative color”. BenCab’s first experience of the arts
transpired through his elder sibling Salvador, who was
already a recognized artist. As a lyrical expressionist
BenCab represented Philippine society through Sabel, a
symbolic scavenger which he describe dignity threatened
symbol of dislocation, despair, and isolation.
 Famous works: The Oriental Fan and Sabel
Abdulmari Asia Imao
1936-2014 (yoc 2006)

 A native Sulu, this national artist was a

remarkable sculptor, painter, ceramist,
photographer, writer, and cultural
researcher. National artist Guillermo
Tolentino and Napoleon Abueva had
mentored him to become the artist that
he was. Imao incorporated in this works
native motifs and designs such as the
sarimanok, the naga and the ukkil which
helped develop among ethnic groups
trust and confidence essential for the
development of a civilized society.
 Famous works: Sarimanok with 8 Fishes and
Sarimanok
FRANCISCO COCHING 1919-1998 (YOC:2001)

 Is a comic book creator with 53 comic book novels to his

name unable to finish his studies, he took on an
apprenticeship at Liwayway magazine under Tony
Velasquez. His works include the following: Hagibis, El Indio,
Don Cobarde, Pagao, Dumagit, Coching, art critic Alfredo
Roces that “for two decades, Francisco Coching’s fanciful
corridos along with the moro-moro and zarzuela of the
colonial era, Coching reimagined Philippine history in his
enduring works”.
 Famous work: El Indio