ABOUT THE WORK

Prolific modern Romeo Tabuena has been known for his unique style — infusing cubist elements into his works, creating a vibrant visual display of cultural and idyllic themes. In this oil on wood work, we see a makeshift footbridge leading to what appears to be a nipa-house with laundry hanging to dry. The very bucolic setting depicting the dimming dusk is engulfed by a fog — creating a rather eerie atmosphere, veiling the figures in the distance. The full moon completes the composition, illuminating the whole scene as it leads the woman’s path home. Tabuena’s move to Mexico, without a doubt, had greatly influenced his artistic sensibilities, and propelled his stylistic evolution to great heights. Although in this work from 1957, some few years after his move to Mexico, we see a transitioning Tabuena — still creating his compositions with a Filipino flair, there is no question to the passion he has for his subject, his second home, Mexico.