Romulo Olazo’s 2013 Diaphanous is a testament to the artist’s unparalleled commitment and meditation on a focused theme for a sustained period of time. He started his Diaphanous series in 1974, a series he had returned to time and time again for the next four decades and yielded a staggering amount of 25,000 studies, sketches, and paintings. Amongst that impressive number stands the lot in hand, another Diaphanous in Olazo’s impressive oeuvre.
This 2013 work exemplifies Olazo’s mastery of the subject matter. Almost four decades into the series, he knows its intricacies like the back of his hand, yet the work feels as refreshing as it was years ago. A printmaker prior to his foray into painting, Olazo wedded the techniques he had wielded in his previous job to create a truly novel experience. The serigraphic approach of using stenciled patterns paired with the collographic method of layering results in a translucent effect that makes the piece almost three-dimensional and lifelike, a visual masterpiece that has garnered many a collector’s attention. The Diaphanous series, deservedly so, is Olazo’s golden ticket to the annals of Philippine art history, a legacy that lives on until today. (Hannah Valiente)
Accompanied by a certificate issued by Paseo Gallery confirming the authenticity of this lot
Provenance: Private collection, Singapore