Red Roofs
signed and dated 1984 (lower right)
acrylic and black ink on handmade paper
12 1/4" x 25" (31 cm x 64 cm)
León Gallery wishes to thank Mr. and Mrs. Jack and Kristiyani Garrity for confirming the authenticity of this lot
PROVENANCE: Acquired directly from the artist in Hong Kong in 1984
EXHIBITED: The Luz Gallery, Oriental Abstractions, Makati City, 1984

Pacita Abad’s designation as undoubtedly the most well-known and lauded Filipino international artist is not without basis. Ever since Abad started dabbling in the arts in the 1970s, her practice rarely remained singular or stagnant. Instead, Abad was always looking for new ways to express her vision through groundbreaking and innovative experimentations in medium, subject matter, and presentation. Though she originally created works that reflected a Social Realist style that dove into the complex cultural, social, and historical underpinnings of the time, her sojourn to the United States eventually opened up the plethora of possibilities for her and her art. She then began to experiment with more abstract styles and forms, an interest that would eventually lead her to venture into using non-traditional materials and ephemera as a way of executing her vision. Her works would end up incorporating hand-stitched textiles, ribbons, sequins, beads, buttons, tin, mirrors and many other found objects the artist collected during her travels throughout Africa, Middle East, Asia and Latin America. This particular piece was one of the initial ink paperworks that Pacita did as part of her Oriental Abstractions series based on her ink brush study in Seoul, Korea in 1984. Lifesavers was also shown as part of Pacita’s 'Wild at Art’ exhibition at the Luz Gallery in 1991. The work can also be seen as a representation of how Abad’s iconic style, that features an amalgamation and celebration of different forms, remains effective and engaging no matter the medium or approach. (J.D.)