Gus Albor (b. 1948)
1978-II
signed and dated 1978 (lower left)
oil and acrylic on canvas
40" x 48" (102 cm x 122 cm)



PROVENANCEAcquired directly from the artist



An acclaimed artist of abstract minimalism, Augusto “Gus” Albor approaches his work with a rigid yet meditative quality, a chance to explore various themes. The austerity of his palette and technique reveals the influence of the Minimalist School. Although most abstract artists contend to create works of art as products, Albor sees his paintings as expressions of his beliefs and an exposition of his existence. Thus, the audience's interpretations of his artwork add to the visual experience filled with perplexing meanings. In this 1978 piece, the canvas rests at the tranquility of its pale background, uncaring of the subdued linework and striking dashes of white. It confronts the abyss of meaninglessness in order to portray new meanings outside of conventional and established means of language and communication. In every Albor painting, the colors black, gray, and white are symbolic of his style. As often described, black signifies an essence of “consuming” whereas gray, according to Cid Reyes, connotes the “inexpressible.” If so, then white, a color contrasting with black and more unsaturated than gray, could be an interpretation for "desolation." In the year this piece was completed, the 30-year-old Gus Albor underwent a one-term study grant at the British Council at West Surrey College of Arts and Design in the United Kingdom. A year after, he staged three prominent exhibits that defined his artistic career: Recent Paintings held at the Nachrichten-Treff Gallery in Düsseldorf, West Germany and at The Luz Gallery in Makati, Philippines, and Watercolours held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The masterpieces of Gus Albor are given justice by the persons who have known him for years and have worked closely with his oeuvre. One of them is the National Artist Arturo Luz who once went out of his comfort zone way back in the 70s to find the distant studio of Albor. He said, "August Albor is quite simply the best that the Philippines has to offer.” (P.I.R.)