PROPERTY FROM THE DON BENITO LEGARDA JR. COLLECTION

ABOUT THE WORK

The Legarda H.R. Ocampo The acclaimed abstractionist Hernando R. Ocampo was regarded as an artist who used an intellectual approach in his masterpieces. He was able to create novel imagery and symbolism through abstraction after he abandoned his pre-war and post-war figurations. His art is described to be “abstract compositions of biological forms that seemed to oscillate, quiver, inflame and multiply,” like mutations. A remarkable illustration of his revered mode of abstraction is these three pieces dated 1967. Organic symbols find their way into these works of Ocampo, adding to the complexity of the surface meanings of the canvases. However, the said details are more than just ornamental marvels and are considered a personal and substantial reaction to the stimuli and environment that the artist engaged. Still, despite his habit of drawing inspiration from his surroundings, his art is anything but derivative. In Ocampo’s works, colors take the center stage. The ‘60s was the decade when his art shifted from neorealism to abstract non-configurative. His works were characterized by biomorphic shapes colored in hues of green, red, orange, yellow, blue, and brown. His interlocking forms and distinct color palette have given rise to a unique visual language that is notably and completely Ocampo’s. (P.I.R.)