One look at Angelito Antonio’s magnificent body of work shows his immense interest in Philippine culture. Described as "one of the last few living modernist masters of Philippine art" by the managing director of Galerie Joaquin Jack Teotico, Antonio’s place in Philippine art history was cemented when he was included in one of the earliest batches of the Thirteen Artist Awardees from the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) in 1970.
Almost 15 years after this prestigious award, Antonio’s dexterity shows no signs of slowing down with his 1984 Family. In it, Antonio’s striking colors and unique approach to figurative distortion create an interesting visual image. Hues of red, yellow, and orange meld together, the warmth juxtaposed by the pure black used as shadows. Two figures occupy the forefront, a husband and a wife. A basketful of fruits is on the wife’s head, one hand balancing the tray and another holding a child; the husband meanwhile cradles a rooster to his chest. They create the quintessential image of a rural Filipino family, depicting the quaint family unit including the household animal that is just as important as the brood.
Primarily a folk genre artist, Antonio’s usual subject matter ranges from cockfighters to vendors to family, all depicted in his bright and intense color scheme that is as vibrant as it is refreshing. His career spans more than half a century, his works aggressive and expressionist with an infusion of intricate Filipino values. In Family, Antonio portrays the intertwining threads of family, community, heritage, and harmony all the while infusing the piece with a Filipino vibrancy that resonates even four decades after its creation. (Hannah Valiente)
Accompanied by a certificate signed by the artist confirming the authenticity of this lot
Provenance: Alpadj Gallery