ABOUT THE WORK

Abdulmari Imao’s art transcends cultural barriers, reintroducing the concept of harmony in diversity and bringing Muslim culture closer to the Filipino psyche. As a sculptor and painter, Imao was influenced by the cultural traditions of the Tausug and the Maranao. The significance of Imao’s art lies in its foundation. It is grounded in a culture that is imperative to the concept of our nation’s collective identity. The citation for Imao’s National Artist Award writes: “His sculptures of diverse mediums and styles, as well as his refined and innovative rendering of indigenous art images and motifs, are testimonies of his highly developed aesthetic sensibility, ingenuity, and wide-ranging experience as an artist.” (A.M.)