Three Women
signed and dated 12.VIII.04 (lower right)
charcoal
25" x 19" (64 cm x 48 cm)
Accompanied by a certificate issued by West Gallery confirming the authenticity of this lot



Among the first generation of modernists to make their mark in Philippine Art is Mauro “Malang” Santos. An icon in abstract art and cubism, he was foremost an award- winning cartoonist, illustrator, and fine arts painter. His canvases explore various themes and styles, crafted with a unique aesthetic that draws inspiration from the realities of urban life. Malang incorporated into his art the very afflictions of the Filipino commoner — ever so elegantly rendering them in his distinct cubist style. Three Women is one of the abstract paintings by the late Filipino artist, a prime example of that Malang era where he evolved to a melancholic and solemn tone for his abstract approach. Later in his career, Malang put his focus on disparate Filipina women, and laid them around religious and floral settings. Abstraction sometimes allows for a bit of somber drama that departs from Malang’s effervescent artistry. Bold yet controlled strokes, emphatic delineation meld with a surreal atmosphere — this very piece is a masterful display of skill by Malang. (P.I.R.)