Leon Gallery wishes to thank Mr. Marcel Antonio for confirming the authenticity of this lot

Provenance: Private collection, Manila

ABOUT THE WORK

Kusina Blg. 2 is another masterpiece by the acclaimed Filipino artist Angelito Antonio, an oil painting demonstrating a typical countryside household scene. This 1972 work is an image of a mother sitting on the ground and carrying her child while tending to the food she’s cooking. Like his other works, this piece bears Antonio’s developed cubism style and signature acidic yellow hue. Antonio’s oeuvre is a genuine representation of Filipino customs and way of life. It often features vendors, cockfighters, fishermen, as well as market, barrio, and household scenes, an array of subjects that somehow exude a sense of warmth and familiarity. Additionally, Antonio’s exceptional colorwork manifests in his paintings, for he manages to tone down his bright colors by using black to outline his elements and create shadows to contrast his luminous palette. Hence, his pieces aren’t overwhelming or too loud to look at. Yellow is a unique distinction of an Antonio piece. And although this color often signifies joy and optimism, Antonio’s figures feel otherwise, showing instead the opposite of the glorified countryside life. His images are populated with people whose facial expressions and body language have a hint of suffering, misery, and weariness embedded in them. In 1970, the Cultural Center of the Philippines honored Angelito Antonio with the prestigious Thirteen Artists Award, a testament to the significance and impact of his artistry in the Filipino art scene. (Jessica Magno)