ABOUT THE WORK

Augusto “Gus” Albor was an innate artist; he could draw well even as a kid and even helped his teachers by drawing diagrams on the blackboard. However, the works of his predecessors, Luz and Zobel, inspired and motivated him to pursue non-objective artmaking. His early works, characterized by spontaneous brush strokes of blacks and greys, were influenced by his professor, Florencio Concepcion. As he delved deeper into his artistic journey, he began to experiment with colors and sweeps of brushes, eventually crafting a unique and unrivaled Albor art style. His pieces, with their layers of paint creating depth and texture, exude a restrained, impassioned, and above all, elegant aesthetic. Seemingly looking simple, Albor’s paintings are made with a great deal of enthusiasm and patience. He starts by sweeping vibrant colors (usually primary ones) onto his canvas, then layering it with neutral hues. Tala is an example of this–vibrant red painted against muted brown and peeking behind layers of greys. This 2017 piece perfectly manifests his discipline and great sense of control in his colors and precise layering, establishing him as one of the most affluent visual artists in Philippine contemporary art. (Jessica Magno)