Provenance: Private collection, Europe

Exhibited: Art Collectors Gallery at Hotel Maria Isabel, Exhibition of Paintings by Oscar de Zalameda, Mexico City, 25 July - 12 August 1967.

ABOUT THE WORK

The Paisanos of Zalameda Oscar Zalameda, a highly esteemed Filipino artist, was deeply influenced by his mentor, Vicente Manansala, during his time at UST. This influence led him to explore cubism, a style he has since made his own. Despite his extensive travels and the Western influences evident in his works, Zalameda’s art remains deeply rooted in his Filipino heritage. This piece, Los Paisanos, was made at a time when Zalameda studied mural art in Mexico in 1967. Translated as “The Countrymen” in English, this painting depicts the harrowing reality of his countrymen, be it from his home country or people from the foreign land he was in. Here, Zalameda features five men with visibly wearied and troubled faces immersed in a rather serious discussion while carrying sacks full of things—maybe their harvested goods. This depiction, fused with his chosen palette, is a dark contrast to his earlier bright watercolor pieces and future cubism works with bold shapes and loud colors. Nonetheless, this painting perfectly demonstrated Zalameda’s artistic development and versatility, proving his worth in the Philippine art scene. (Jessica Magno)