PROPERTY FROM THE DR. AND MRS. ROBERTO MACASAET COLLECTION

Accompanied by a certificate issued by West Gallery confirming the authenticity of this lot

ABOUT THE WORK

Mauro “Malang” Santos would test his artistic vision once in a while and paint abstract compositions with unique and exciting qualities. His creative inclinations would often branch out into other subjects, and the lot at hand is among the particular pieces that showcase Malang’s special interest in still life. As if a horticulturist who crafts his own flora, he painted no specific botanical species. He often rendered a subject in a manner that captured its spirit more than its appearance. His still-life paintings, in a sense, depict a transcendental subject that aims to grasp a pure and ideal form of nature. With that said, this work is not a sedate beauty but extravagant bursts of creation evoked by the adept hand of a master at the peak of his artistic prowess. Malang was one of the widely-known local artists with a predilection for colors, his oeuvres are a visual feast that satiates the viewer’s appetite for excitement and delight. However, in this surreal rendition of a plant, his bold and bright palette was set aside in favor of an almost black and white look. Three years after this 1978 piece was created, the City of Manila honored him with the Guide of Arts and Culture award in 1981. (P.I.R.)