Accompanied by a certificate issued by West Gallery
confirming the authenticity of this lot

Provenance: Private Collection, Europe

ABOUT THE WORK

Visual artist and gallerist Soler Santos is among Philippine contemporary art’s most influential voices. Born in 1960 in Metro Manila, Santos was exposed to the fine arts at a relatively young age, given that his father, Mauro Malang Santos, is considered to be one of the pillars of Philippine Art in the 20th century. Santos received his formal education in the arts at the University of the Philippines’ School of Fine Arts. Santos’ unique practice has proven to be successful not because of his namesake, but because of his own unique approach to art itself. In 1992, he was awarded the coveted Thirteen Artists Award by the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Aside from being a visual artist, Santos is also a respected gallerist, with his Quezon City space West Gallery considered one of the most respected and prestigious galleries in the Philippines today. Santos’ unique artistic practice is one that primarily explores our relationship with our surroundings. Though Santos’ style is varied and multifaceted, the very philosophy that his works operate on can be seen as a critique of our environment and how our experience primarily informs our relationship with it. From his Leaves series to his Derelict series, there is an inimitable touch of realism on display, his stylization of subjects an impeccable showing of creative genius. This particular piece shows Santos’ original experimentations with Magical Realism through the way he renders his subject matter as well as his color choice, but still remains emblematic of Santos’ current and critical style. From his Leaves to his Derelict series, there is an inimitable touch of realism on display, his stylization of subjects an impeccable showing of creative genius.