Abstract
signed and dated 1974 (lower right)
oil on masonite board
40" x 30" (102 cm x 76 cm)

PROVENANCE:Acquired directly from the artist by the present owner


H.R. Ocampo was among the trailblazing artists of his generation that saw the potential of art as not only a reflection of the human experience against the backdrop of Modernism, but as a genuine tool for emancipation and change. Ocampo’s practice was something beyond just mere artistic experimentation, but was tempered by the complex and turbulent nature of his active years. From his early works that brought about social awareness during the aftermath of World War II and challenged the novel sort of colonization brought about by power- shifts that defined the middle of the twentieth century, to his transitional period that saw Ocampo venture into different forms of art and media such as short-form literature and film, the artist’s life and experiences are storied to say the least. But it was his abstract works that undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the world of Philippine art. Ocampo’s works were unapologetically Filipino in both their scope and approach. These pieces were inspired by the tropical lushness of the country. From the Philippines’ temperate and ideal climate, to the diverse flora and fauna that call the archipelago home, Ocampo made sure that the beauty and wonder of the homeland always shone through. Even compared to his foreign and international counterparts, Ocampo’s works were distinct in their practice and form; further solidifying his distinctly Filipino identity. This particular 1974 piece is emblematic of his abstract works at its peak. Created after his induction into the Order of the National Artists as a National Artist for the Visual Arts, the work not does not only evokes distinctly local imagery and scenes, but also showcases a sense of unity that aptly shows how all of these elements come together to create something uniquely ours. From its shades of blue and green that seemingly conjure up images of tides, coastal waters, and the deep blue of the ocean that are commonplace in the country, to the lush and almost passionate hues of orange and red that reflect the iconic Filipino sunrises and sunsets, the work is undoubtedly in a class of its own as it attempts to display Ocampo at his finest.