ABOUT THE WORK

As observed in A Comment on Something, a Ben Maramag oeuvre dated 1973, the composition is almost classic in its minimalism. The minimalist composition of this work helped to highlight the shifts in gradient tones, resulting in a calm and relaxed atmosphere. Amid the flourishing of non-objective art in the 1970s, Maramag was in pursuit of a unique artistic signature, experimenting with various methods until he found it through the use of a spray gun. This utilitarian tool, commonly associated with industrial purposes, became his primary medium to manipulate color gradients and create a luminous effect. The art of Maramag was shaped when pure abstraction was gaining prominence within the local art scene. He was part of the experimental generation of artists that veered away from the neo-realist and expressionist works. Like Fernando Zobel de Ayala, who explored in his art the complexities of depth using subtle tonal shifts, Maramag probed similar problems on his canvases that are usually square-shaped with evenly laid out colors. Maramag was part of the first set of Thirteen Artist Awardees in 1970. The Thirteen Artist Awards was created by the Cultural Center of the Philippines under the directorship of Roberto Chabet. (Isabella Romarate)