ABOUT THE WORK

One of the Thirteen Moderns, National Artist Cesar Legaspi is credited as a pioneer neo-realist, together with fellow National Artists H.R. Ocampo and Vicente Manansala. He is also revered for “refining cubism in the Philippine context” with his signature geometric fragmentation technique. Art critic-historian Alice Guillermo wrote: “The power and fascinating quality of Legaspi’s later works strike from the feeling that they strike deep into subconscious reserves of energy and imagination.” This particular 1993 piece titled Solarmutation is an imaginative vigorous composition of a man rendered in strong, expressive geometric shapes and distinct colors, along with the pronounced powerful sun above him. There is an impression of the interacting forms about to merge into one in Legaspi’s dynamic work, also of energy and rhythmic movement. It is notable as well that his color blindness did not hinder him from producing works that showcase the expressive qualities of color.