Romeo Tabuena, Filipino, 1921-2015, Philippines, Mexico. Market scene paintings.

The oil painting on masonite Market Stand is signed and dated (1963) lower left, and titled on the stretcher back. 23.5 x 36 in., 30 x 42 in. frame

Romeo Tabuena's artworks focus on Filipino and Mexican themes on culture, such as working people, traditional housing, and native plants. He included the spectrum of colors in the works he created while in Mexico. He depicted people that were present on public streets, such as vendors and laundry women. This painting boasts an energetic orange that enlivens the scene. A figure stands under a covered structure, behind her goods that are offered for sale. Tabuena was influenced by Chinese vertical format painting and Cubism. The latter is evident is the loose, mosiac-like structure of forms that assemble into a covered stand with fresh shopping items. Tabuena received many honors including serving as the official artist of the Sao Paulo Art Biennial of 1965, and receiving a commission from the Philippine government, which is displayed at the Philippine embassy in Washington D.C.