NATIONAL ARTISTS

ARTISTS DESCRIPTION STYLE POPULAR WORKS

FERNANDO First National Artist in the country. Backlighting technique in painting, making  Dalagang Bukid
ARMORSOLO He is best known for his illuminated landscapes, his creations bright and cheerful.  El Ciego
which often portrayed traditional Filipino customs,  The Mestiza
culture, fiestas and occupations.  Planting Rice
CARLOS “BOTONG” He revived the art of mural and was considered He was known for using historical events  Blood Compact
FRANCISCO to be the most distinguished mural painter for as subject matter for his murals.  First Mass at Limasawa
about three decades.  Bayanihan

GUILLERMO E. Honored as National Artist for Sculpture in 1973. He is known for making sculptures.  UP Oblation
TOLENTINO Known for designing the seal of the Republic of  Bonifacio Monument
the Philippines and the gold and bronze medals
for the Ramon Magsaysay Award.
NAPOLEON V. He was considered to be the Father of Modern He was known for “buoyant sculpture”,  Sandugo
ABUEVA Philippine Sculpture. which is a type of sculpture to be viewed  The Transfiguration
Known for representational and modern abstract from the surface of a pool.  Siyam na Diwata ng Sining
sculptures using a wide variety of materials.

VICTORIO C. EDADES He was recognized as the Father of Modern He uses dark somber colors in his  The Builders
Philippine Painting. paintings. His works focused on factory  The Sketch
workers, labourer, or other simple  Mother and Daughter
townspeople. He also introduced a degree
program offering subjects in foreign
languages and art history.
VICENTE He believed that “the beauty of art is in the His paintings depicting realistic themes  A Cluster of Nipa Hut
MANANSALA process, in the moment of doing a particular using an abstract or a cubist style.  Market Venders
painting, closely associating it with the act of  Madonna of the Slums
making love.”

HERNANDO R. He was largely known for his abstract paintings. His works featured shapes bounded with  Genesis
His masterpiece “Genesis” was used as the basis curved lines painted in intense colors. His  Slum Dwellers
OCAMPO of the design of the curating of the Cultural paintings captured the Philippine
 Ina ng Balon
Center of the Philippines (CCP) Main Theater. landscape using bold colors.

CESAR LEGASPI He was known for utilizing and refining cubism. A style involving breaking parts into  Tree Planting
geometric shapes in his paintings.  Morning Dance
 Man and Woman
ARTURO LUZ He set up the Luz Gallery, which contributed to He is known for his minimalist, geometric,  Black and White
the professionalization of the art gallery as an and abstract styles of art and his  Bagong Taon
institution. animated paintings of circus performers  Cities of the Past
and musicians as well as his revered
cityscape series.
J. ELIZALDE He was known for his fiction works for This He was known for his hardwood masks  Various Voices
NAVARRO Week of the Manila Chronicle and for his reflecting the human and the animal,  The Ilongot War
figurative drawings for Lydia Arguilla’s Juan abstract paintings in oil and watercolour,  A Maguindanao
Tamad. and assemblages.

ANG KIUKOK He was known for paintings expressing He often chose dynamic or disturbing  Pieta
nationalism and sociological agenda during the subject matter, frequently depicting rabid  Geometric Landscape
60’s through vivid cubistic figures. dogs, crucifixions, and screaming figures  Seated Figure
in an abstracted geometric style.
BENEDICTO Known as “Bencab”, was noted as the best- He is also well-known for his sketches of  Sabel in Blue
selling painter of his generation of Filipino artists. a scavenger named, “Sabel, a symbol of  Yellow Confetti
CABRERA dislocation, despair and isolation-the  Mysterious Woman
personification of human dignity
threatened by life’s circumstance.”
ABDULMARI ASIA Imao was instrumental in populatizing the ukil, He uses sculptures and monuments of  Mural Relief on Filmmaking
IMAO sarimanok ang naga motifs in the country as Muslim and regional leaders and heroes,  Industry Brass Mural
original Filipino creations. he has helped in developing trust and
confidence among cultural groups.
FEDERICO AGUILAR He was mainly known for his oil and acrylic Most often depicting nude women,  Tres Marias
ALCUAZ paintings, and sketches in ink, pencil, and interiors, still lifes, and landscapes,  Reveries of Love
watercolor. Alcuaz’s work is characterized by its soft
blurred edges coupled with bold lines and
shapes.
FRANCISCO He is the “Dean of Filipino Illustrators” and “King He is best known for his work on comic  Pulot-Gata
of Comics.” and illustrations which lead to its  Satur
COCHING recognition as popular art.