PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF A DISTINGUISHED COUPLE

Accompanied by a certificate issued by Ms. Luisa Luz-Lansigan confirming the authenticity of this lot

ABOUT THE WORK

This work by Arturo Luz comes from his iconic “Cities of the Past” series. The group of works stemmed from Luz’s 1988 extended visit to various Asian countries. He visited sites of ancient cities and temples. These included Sukhothai in Thailand, Borobudur in Indonesia and Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Carrying a simple camera, Luz took the usual touristic shots done by any traveler, but his fascination in the majestic yet derelict buildings and temples forced him to take a serious second look. Returning with a more professional camera borrowed from his own daughter Angela, Luz captured the scenes of the majestic temple of Borobudur, the 9th century Mahayana Buddhist temple located in the forests of Java. The temple complex with its geometric symmetry and closed detailed carvings in its architecture piqued Luz to reimagine and recreate the temple in a more minimalist composition. Thus began his series known as the Cities of the Past, which he recounted to art critic Cid Reyes in 1999. The same philosophy has extended to his other works, including this 2007 piece titled Desert Architecture. A founding member of the Philippines' Neo-Realist movement, Arturo Luz's works were exhibited in various cultural centers. In 1955, he represented the Philippines at the Asian Artists in Crystal Exhibit with his work entitled "Harana". He also represented the country at an exhibition entitled "Arte de America y Espana," organized in Madrid and exhibited in the major cities of Europe. Luz's fellow artist Fernando Zo?bel was enamored by the skill and craftsmanship that Luz imbues each of his works with that Zo?bel would eventually claim Luz as the "painter's painter." Zo?bel often noted that whenever a Luz piece went up for sale, the buyer was often another painter, aware of Luz's technical skill and mastery over his craft. (J.D.)