Accompanied by a certificate issued by the heirs of the artist confirming the authenticity of this lo

ABOUT THE WORK

A visionary sculptor, Solomon Saprid has produced sculptures out of welding scraps of metal to create a jagged effect. His works are marked by unconcealed welding points and rough-hewn surfaces. Among the various themes Saprid took upon for his sculptures, his Tikbalang series is considered the most iconic in his oeuvre. With an approach far from the traditional sculpture techniques, Saprid is able to render movement in the dynamic sculptural form of his favored mythical character by demonstrating the concept of “frozen motion” in which a certain piece, despite being a static object, enables the viewer to detect movement. Alfredo Roces noted this as well. “A Saprid sculpture has a kinetic quality to it . . . a sense of arrested action. The effect is one towards which the artist strives,” said Roces. This Tikbalang piece, for instance, shows a rough metallic texture that veers away from the classical seamlessness of surface and purity of form. Here, expression is unrestrained and Saprid’s mastery of manipulating his chosen medium is showcased. Saprid was an illustrator for scientific and textbooks before he ventured into creating masterful metal sculptures with characteristic strips made otherworldly in his stylized soldering. His distinct welding techniques produced figurative intricacies and pronounced angles. Brass is also his signature material, and he is best known for his portrayals of Philippine folklore, genre, and religious characters.