[ Please also see Alive with Extreme Color , the first installment of this three-part series. ]
When I visited Angono-Rizal, a city and art colony outside Manila, I had the pleasure of meeting National Artist Nemi Miranda, Jr. at his studio. Not only did he show me around his studio-art school which comprised nearly a city block, he granted me a rare interview. He spoke of the history of his famous art family, his personal style, and the philosophy behind his art.
"Imaginative Figurism is an art philosophy which makes strong use of imagination to create the human form as a center of art."
Mr. Miranda believes his art comes from God. "The bible states that God has created man as his own masterpiece, made in his image," said Mr. Miranda. "God created man out of nothing and came up with a perfect human being coupled with intellect and free will. Therefore, man too has the power to create using his imagination and freewill."
He says his imagination helps to define the human figure on canvas. "This means that the artist has to master the human form through pure memory without aid of picture or a model and wherein he has control of it, to twist, to bend, recline in an expression he desires it to be."
Leaving Mr. Miranda, I then drove toward the home-studio of Carlos "Totong" Francisco II. When I arrived at his home studio it was like returning to the home of a dear friend or beloved family member. It was like old times since we had met previously. I asked him if the government supported native artists.
He replied, "The national government is always in support of local artists."
Mr. Francisco continued. "Sectors of the government such as the NCAA (National Commission for Culture and the Arts), the National Museum, CCP (Cultural Center of the Philippines) as well other privately-owned galleries were the ones responsible for the up-bringing of the local art community, especially in the Manila area and nearby provinces as well…
But of course we have vast numbers of artists nationwide."
"Career opportunities such as grants and other international programs only come to few well respected ones (artists). Competition for survival and art exposure is very still and will always be at the hands of every artist."
I asked him where he drew his inspiration. He replied from his family and everyday life. He said that he's a positive person and enjoys "doing positive images and colors and that he was more into the creative process and technique of doing work."
After we talked around icy cold glasses of Coke, he let me snap some pictures of his work. Then he gave me one of his original art works! It was a pastel and acrylic portrait of Christ.
Readers may contact Nemi Miranda Jr. at nemi_miranda@yahoo.com
National Artist Carlos Francisco II can be reached at: thesecondgallery@yahoo.com
If readers would like information on Philippine art, the writer would enjoy hearing from you at: vamaxwell@yahoo.com