Accompanied by a certificate issued by Mr. Alexander Richard Joya Baldovino confirming the authenticity of this lot

ABOUT THE WORK

Monsoon Rains is emblematic of the naturalistic core often found in some of Joya’s abstract works. Joya undoubtedly pioneered the field of Filipino abstraction through a novel practice that transcended foreign influences. There is a sense of spontaneity and thus a sense of unabashed integrity that reflects Joya’s own disposition. These spontaneous and gestural strokes are born out of techniques such as broad brush strokes attained by using brushes or spatulas, directly squeezing paint from its tube, or applying color by splashing pigments across the canvas. Yet what makes Joya’s truly Filipino are the inspirations behind them. From verdant paddies to golden fields, Joya would take the natural beauty of the Philippines’ landscapes as his muse. In the same vein, Monsoon Rains depicts the seasonal downpour that is inherent to life in the Philippines. Its shifting shades of blue can be seen as the varying degrees of rain we’ve become accustomed to; from light drizzles to heavy tropical showers. While Joya’s various elements and strokes are the drops of rainwater themselves, effectively emphasizing both its direction and quantity through gestural strokes. Jose Joya’s artistic practice spearheaded the development of Filipino abstraction beyond the confines of predominantly Western influences by combining traditional techniques with the vivacity of local aesthetics. Joya’s immutable penchant for color and calligraphic gestures helped define the local art scene for decades. Though he was formally trained in the classical and traditional styles akin to Amorsolo and Luna, Joya was eventually enamored by the revolutionary works of the abstractionists and the modernists.