Sculptors in the Philippines

Sculptors in the Philippines

Submitted by:
Boquiron, Karl Christian
De Vera, Joshua James
Mendoza, Lady Lavenie
Salagubang, Shiena Kate

Submitter to:
Prof. Galang

Napoleon Abueva

Napoleon Isabelo Veloso-Abueva (born January 26, 1930), more popularly known as Napoleon Abueva, is a Filipino artist. He is a sculptor given the distinction as the Philippines National Artist for Sculpture. He is also entitled as the "Father of Modern Philippine Sculpture". He is the first and only Boholano given the distinction as National Artist of the Philippines in the field of Visual Arts.
Napoleon Abueva, nicknamed Billy, was born on January 26, 1930 in Tagbilaran, Bohol to Teodoro Abueva, a Bohol congressman and Purification Veloso, president of the Women’s Auxiliary Service. His father was a friend and contemporary of former Philippine President Manuel Roxas and Ambassador Narciso Ramos. He was a member of the Provincial Board, and later became the Provincial Governor of Bohol. He ended his career as a Congressman in 1934. Both of Abueva's parents died serving their country.

Guillermo Estrella Tolentino
Guillermo Estrella Tolentino (1890-1976) represents the National Artist Awards for Sculpture in 1973. He is consider as the "Father of Philippine Arts" because of his great works like the famous "Bonifacio Monument" symbolizing Filipinos cry for freedom located in intersection of EDSA and Rizal Avenue and "The Oblation" in UP signifying academic freedom .
Guillermo Tolentino was born in Malolos, Bulacan. He attend School of Fine Arts in University of the Philippines under Vicente Rivera for painting and later for sculpture under Vicente Francisco. Sooner he became more interested in sculpture than painting. He graduated in painting and sculpture in 1915 with prizes in all subjects.
Guillermo Tolentino returned home in 1923, then he opened his own studio in Manila. In 1926, he was appointed as instructor for sculpture in School of Fine Arts in University of the Philippines. He won the design and commissioning of "The Bonifacio Monument" in 1930 and finish its installation in 1933. The "Oblation" was made the same time with "Bonifacio Monument". After that UP President Rafael Palma commissioned the "Oblation" in UP Manila and later transfer to UP Diliman. Later part of his service, he was appointed as Director for School of Fine Arts and in 1955 after resignation he was named as Professor Emeritus. He obtained also Sculptor of the Year from Philippine Institute of Architecs. He received various awards and citations such as UNESCO Cultural Award in Sculpture in 1959, Araw ng Maynila Award in Sculpture in 1963, Republic Cultural Heritage Award in 1967, President's Medal of Merit in 1973, Diwa ng Lahi Award in 1972, and National Artist Award in 1973.
Anastacio Caedo
Born in Batangas 1907 died 1990. (Classical sculpture and statuary, monuments) Entered UP School of Fine Arts, 1925 while taking high school at the Mla University. Won all the major awards in the yearly school competitions . Assisted his professor, sculptor Guillermo Tolentino, then fresh from studies in Italy, in most of Tolentino’s landmark commission, like the UP oblation; the Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan; the lifesize figure of Pres Ramon Magsaysay at the GSIS lobby in Arroceros; the Rizal Monument in front of the Rizal Provincial Capitol; the Shaw Monument at Shaw Blvd, Mandaluyong; and all the dancing figures at the Malacañang Palace Reception and musical Hall. After WW II, established himself as a major sculptor. Recd commissions from the Society of Jesus, Starting with a 14-ft statue of St. Thomas More for the Ateneo College of Law in Padre Faura, and eight other major works. In 1951, also joined the faculty of the UP School of Fine Arts, serving the school for 20 years. Produced representational sculpture, mainly monuments of national heroes and successful Filipino politicians, businessmen, and educators, raging from full figures to busts. Idealized the appearance of his subjects, but injected vitality and movement into his works.

Isabelo Tampinco
On November 19, 1850, Isabelo Tampinco, one of the greatest Filipino wood sculptors who carved numerous religious wood sculptures in Manila and elsewhere, was born in Binondo, Manila.
His work included the Manila Cathedral's famous facade, the high relief on Santo Domingo Church's molave door, the main altar of Laoag Cathedral and wood carvings in San Agustin Church.
Tampinco started out at a young age, apprenticing in the various carving shops of Binondo and Santa Cruz districts. Later at age 15, he enrolled at Academia de Dibujo y Pintura, Manila's prominent art academy where national hero Jose Rizal was a classmate.
His interest in and talent for sculpture was not surprising since he was a descendant of Binondo-based Chinese carvers. The lineage of his mother can be traced to Rajah Lakandula, a native Filipino royal who lived before Spain colonized the Philippines.
Tampinco's first major feat as a sculptor came at age 26 when he was chosen as Philippine representative at the Universal Exposition in Philadelphia in the United States.

Eduardo Castrillo
Described in the 60s and 70s as “avant garde”, Castrillo was known as the country’s forerunner in all-metal (bronze and brass) sculpture mixed with non-traditional media such as plexiglass, neon lights, ivory and wood. He experimented and produced works in various art modes he called the hammer-out reliefs, movables, environmental works, religious monuments and ritual functional pieces, gallery pieces, functional pieces, sculpture couture, commemorative medallions all done in dazzling ranges of metal finishes: oxidized bronze, polished brass, chrome-plated steel, rusty iron, polymer coat etc. The wide variety, materials, modes of techniques, attest to the Filipino artistic genius of Castrillo.
His sculptural redirection is both technical and a matter of vision: at a time when local sculptures were content with the exploitation of readily available materials, Castrillo has had the courage and tenacity to explore new materials such as plastics, plexiglass, and worked with less pliable materials such as welded smithed metal.
The choice of medium and the impact of his works, opened a new dimension to sculptural works in the country. In his works, Philippine sculpture stepped into the contemporary technology, opening possibilities in outdoor monuments heretofore considered impossible in the country.
After Guillermo Tolentino and Napoleon Abueva, both National Artists, Castrillo ranks as a giant in the Philippine sculptural scene. No other sculptor in the succeeding generations will be able to match the versatility, depth and genius of this man.

Sources: http://www.famousfilipino.com/content/view/91/126/ http://noypicollections.blogspot.com/2011/07/life-and-works-of-guillermo-tolentino.html http://www.heritageartcenter.com/2014/10/anastacio-caido-sculpture.html http://kahimyang.info/kauswagan/articles/1357/today-in-philippine-history-november-19-1850-isabelo-tampinco-was-born-in-binondo-manila http://artist.eduardocastrillo.com/artist