Oscar Salita, Filipino artist. Oil on canvas “Marinescape”, signed, framed.
Size: 49 x 58 cm. (19.3 x 22.8 inches)
Born to a family originally from Hagonoy, Bulacan, Philippines on July 4, 1945, as a child in Fourth Grade, Oscar had his early exposure to the arts through wood carving that he learned through a Santo Nino artisan in his hometown. He recognizes Quiapo Manila, though, as his birthplace. His interests in the arts were nurtured through the years until he finished BFA, major in Advertising in 1966. As he pursued his Fine Arts studies at the UST, he was mentored by the eminent group known as the Pioneer Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Santo Tomas, such as Alejandro Celis, Diosdado M. Lorenzo, Vicente Manansala, and Galo Ocampo, and prominent professors as Cenon Rivera , Leon Pacunayen , Larry Tronco , Maning Rodriguez, Roberto Chabet. As a result of this he was included in the Next Generation Moderns of UST. It was also during his years at the UST when he diverted his style toward Filipiniana culture and influence. At the UST, he was with Aro Soriano, Tiny Nuyda , Raul Isidro, Ed Castrillo, Tam Austria, Danny Dalena. He flourished within the Golden Era of Art in the Philippines.
He formed a group with his fellow artists at the UST, known as the Starving Artists.
To underline the significance of his particular style of painting faceless figures in his paintings, he recounted a true story wherein he was requested by the organizer of the Valle Verde country club where he had his exhibit to paint figures with faces. And so he did.
His paintings were sold, however, after two weeks, the art collectors requested him to have the faces erased! That is why, this explains why he painted faces on his paintings only for this instance.
His style evolved to a mix of impressionism and cubism. He learned through all the different places he’d visited, as well as the varied clientele that he served including the foreign dignitaries who he had encouraged to collect Philippine art then.
From a simple, unplanned way with which his art career unfolded and flourished, we still learn from this Next Generation Thomasian a simple statement : “ Art comes from the brain, then flows to the heart, to the hands.”
He passed away on March 6, 2012. And he left a legacy from which we can all learn. For with his style of art, the absence of faces made him convey a presence and impact that is truly full of character.