Romeo Tabuena (1921 - 2015)
River Gold (Rio de Oro)
signed and dated 1976 (upper left)
acrylic on canvas
21" x 24 3/4" (53 cm x 62 cm)



PROVENANCEPrivate Collection, USA



Tabuena is known for his works that are atmospheric in visual quality. This quality is evident in Listening Huts with its backdrop and dreamlike depictions of the huts, barely defined trees and tropical vegetation, carabao, and the rural folk. Tabuena’s delicate calligraphic brushstrokes make the painting engaging to the eye; it also brings out a serene, calming effect. His renditions of local images as cultural symbols are indeed articulate explorations of rich Filipino culture. His ambient atmospheric works induce feeling in their visual lyricism and composition with combined Asian and Western sensibilities. The essence of the carabaos, defined as totally weightless, flat-out forms, has an ethereality unmistakably Tabuena’s. The complexity of basic Filipino culture and its nuanced richness is one that has inspired the work of innumerable artists. So many visual elements are horizontally compressed into the canvas without any effect of crowding or jumbling. Tabuena’s work is an intense and articulate exploration of many latent proletariat themes touched by quiet cultural symbols and local imagery without the manifestation of social concerns.