LESSON 3: Contemporary Philippine Art
I. Introduction
It is a common tendency to describe the present as “modern”. Being modern means being up to date and
technologically advanced. Often, being modern is equated with being contemporary. Art that is new or current is
also often referred to as “modern” as opposed to “traditional” or “conservative”. In other words, in everyday parlance,
the terms are interchangeable. In this lesson, we will learn that the terms modern and contemporary refer to vastly
different periods. Modern Art is not the same as Contemporary Art, although they could share some characteristics,
sources and influences.
II. Objectives
1. identify the developments in each period of Philippine Art;
2. relate how arts reflect a country’s culture,
3. critique an artwork from the Philippines based on the given criteria; and
4. create an artwork that will best reflect the culture in the Philippines.
III. Discussion
Pre-Colonial Art Period Spanish Colonial Art PeriodAmerican Colonial Art Period
Japanese Art Period Post War Colonial Art Period Contemporary Art Period
Contemporary Philippine Art
NEOCLASSIC ART
● An artistic style prevalent in Europe from the mid-1700-1800
● Academic Style
● Became the norm by the late 19th century in the Philippines
FAMOUS NEOCLASSIC ARTISTS (CONSERVATIVES):
Juan Luna
Felix Ressurecion Hidalgo
Fernando Amorsolo
Guillermo Tolentino
Juan Luna (1857-1899) The Parisian Life Spoliarium
(Paris,France 1892) (Madrid,Spain 1884)
The Christian Virgins
Felix Ressurecion Hidalgo The Boat of Charon
Exposed to the Populace
(1855-1913) - (Madrid,Spain 1887)
- (Madrid,Spain 1884)
Fernando Amorsolo Palay Maiden The Making of the Philippine Flag
(1892-1972) - (Manila 1920) - (Manila,Undated)
Guillermo Tolentino Bonifacio Monument Oblation
(1890-1976) (South Caloocan,1933) (UP Diliman,1935)
MODERN ART
● Referred to as “traditional” compared to Contemporary Art
● Does not aim to copy and idealize reality
● Led by Victorio Edades in the 1920s
● 1920s – 1970
FAMOUS MODERN ARTISTS:
Victorio Edades
Galo Ocampo
Carlos “Botong” Francisco
VICTORIO EDADES
The first artist in the Philippines to break the rules of art.
Instead of showing natural forms and perspective, used bold strokes and bright colors instead.
Educated from America
MODERN ART AESTHETICS
Modern art is characterized by the artist's intent to portray a subject as it exists in the world,
according to his or her unique perspective and is typified by a rejection of accepted or traditional
styles and values.
Victorio Edades The Sketch (1928) Builders (1928)
(1895-1985)
Galo Ocampo River of Life Brown Madonna
(1913-1985) (1954) (1938)
Camote Diggers
Carlos ‘Botong’ (1969) Give Us This Day
Francisco - (1961)
(1912-1969)
Mother Nature’s Bounty Harvest The Rising New Philippines
(Interaction) (by Edades, Ocampo, Francisco
(by Edades,Ocampo, Francisco 1935) 1935)
CONTEMPORARY ART
● “art of the present”
● Produced by artists who are living in the 21 st century
● 1970 - present
CONTEMPORARY ART AESTHETICS
● Contemporary art mirrors contemporary culture and society
● The work of contemporary artists is a dynamic combination of materials, methods, concepts, and
subjects that challenges traditional boundaries and defies easy definition
● is distinguished by the very lack of a uniform organizing principle, ideology, or -ism
Cura (2018) Rainbow in the Abyss (2013)
by Kawayan De Guia by Ronald Ventura Ang Hari (1998)
Mixed Media on Canvas Oil and graphite on canvas by Mark Justiniani
Oil on Canvas
Hiding and Living(2018) Echolalia (2009) Filipina DH (1995)
by Raffy Napay by Gary-Ross Pastrana by Imelda Cajipe-Endaya
Thread, Acrylic, and Textile Mixed Media Hybrid Media
SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES
NEOCLASSIC ART MODERN ART CONTEMPORARY ART
Romanticism Realism no particular ideology or –ism
“beautifying the ugly” “the ugly and devastating”
uses pastel colors uses bold and bright colors
proper spacing cramped spacing
