Provenance: Provenance: Private Collection, Manila

ABOUT THE WORK

Jose Joya, Alfredo Roces, and H.R. Ocampo are all celebrated Filipino artists. Each has a distinct and trademark style when it comes to their respective stylistic techniques. Ocampo was a selftaught painter whose art reflected the local art scene’s evolution from classical realism to avant garde modernism. As an artist, he is often sought-after for his masterful use of color theory in order to create a truly Filipino style of abstraction. Alfredo Roces is a man of many talents. Aside from the visual arts, Roces was also a prolific dramatist and essayist, a feat that landed him recognition as one of the country’s National Artists for Literature. His paintings also contained the same energy and nuance as his written works. Though he initially utilized a more figurative style, Roces eventually found his voice through more textured and gestural treatments such as Impressionism, Expressionism, and Fauvism. While Jose Joya, the youngest of the bunch, is often remembered as one of the pioneers of not only abstract expressionism, but of new and novel methods of creation as well. Though he shares a deep interest in color and color theory with Ocampo, Joya was primarily concerned with capturing relatively ephemeral elements such as light and transparency. Though these great artists pursued their own artistic goals and voices, they shared a common ground through the famous Saturday Group. This collaboration piece by Jose Joya, Alfredo Roces, and H.R. Ocampo does not only showcase a successful synthesis of varying artistic styles, but exemplifies a complex exchange of ideas, concepts, and philosophies. Upon first glance, one is immediately drawn to the exquisite use of cadet blues, mossy greens, and yellows that permeate one’s visual experience. This masterful blend of contrasting vibrancies can be attributed to the nuanced understanding of color by both Joya and Ocampo. Ocampo’s natural hues are controlled by Joya’s insistence in transparency, creating a moody and surreal atmosphere. The bold lines and gestural strokes that complement the varied use of color can be attributed to Roces’ bold and energetic technique. Inspired by Impressionism, Expressionism, and Fauvism, Roces employs a myriad of textures that engage and energize the visual experience. Though there may be more complex and subtle interplays of style and technique, these three artists have accomplished in creating a masterpiece that cannot be described through words alone. More than a conduit for experiencing reality, Joya, Roces, and Ocampo have shown us that art is the language of the soul.