Provenance: Private Collection, Muntinlupa City

ABOUT THE WORK

Torres in the past has gained attention with what has been seen asv ery Pinoy comedic cum historic subjects with an ever-present askal (abbreviation of asong kalye or Philippine street dog, now called aspin or asong Pinoy) observing the bawdy scenes. Juanito Torres is recognized for his works that bring to life scenes straight from the most dramatic pages of Philippine history as well as for his strong satirical artworks featuring the vaudevillian bacchanalia of Philippine life with its colorful characters. A consummate story-teller with his strong visual narratives, his works depict a never-ending tapestry peopled with characters that are products of his painstaking research and gimlet eyed interest in details. In his works, there is bravura, brittle charm, and wit in the scenes he deftly recreates on his huge canvases. The recurring appearances of revolutionary figures combined with Torres’ gift of using muted browns to underscore the mellow melding of extremes encapsulate the Filipino’s melting-pot psyche.