León Gallery wishes to thank West Gallery and signed by the artist confirming the authenticity of this lot

ABOUT THE WORK

Mauro “Malang” Santos is a painter, illustrator, and one of the most celebrated Filipino figurative artists. He creates canvases that burst with life, devoid of the depressing tones surrounding the Philippines during his lifetime. Malang’s pieces, known for their bold colors and overlapping geometric shapes, feature Filipinos at work and in their daily lives. He is a master colorist who, with his dauntless color palette and unparalleled brushwork, successfully presents in his pieces the microcosm of Philippine life and culture. Both made with acrylic on board, the paintings at hand showcase Malang’s humble beginnings as a painter. Vendor (1957) and Farmer (1956) offer images of archetypal scenarios in the native folks’ neighborhoods: a woman vendor roaming the streets to sell her products and a farmer aboard his carabao while doing farmwork. Significantly manifested in these early works is Malang’s expertise in color. Here, the artist used solid, muted colors to create his figures and separate them from one another. Behind the vendor are lines of dried tree branches against a calming blue sky. On the other hand, the farmer’s back is adorned with barung-barongs in vibrant blue hues, one of the would- be distinctive elements of Malang’s art. Having worked for magazines early in his life, Malang is adept at layout and design and has received numerous awards in these categories. He was also a cartoonist and made illustrations for several comic publications. Furthermore, he held a number of solo and group exhibitions, including a few three-man shows with his sons Steve and Soler. In 1981, the Museum of Philippine Art organized a retrospective exhibit encompassing Malang’s 25-year history and legacy in the art scene. (Jessica Magno)