ABS CBN NEWS for CONSTANCIO BERNARDO "The invisible master now visible at Ayala MuseuM"

Evangelista helped brush up my art history on Bernardo's career highlights. His art spans across his days as a UP student with Amorsolo, to his stint at Yale as a scholar with abstractionist mentor Josef Albers, to the Japanese occupation in the Philippines and many more.

​"In 1956, Ricardo Demetillo identified Bernardo as 'an important new member of the avant-garde whose works [were] revolutionizing Philippine artistic sensibility,' placing him at par with the likes of H.R. Ocampo, Vicente Manansala, Arturo Luz, and Fernando Zobel," explained Evangelista.
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"Portrait of Geisha" 1939-1940 Oil in Lawanit Board

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​"In 1966, Eric Torres referred to Bernardo as 'the invisible man of Philippine painting' for his 'near-monastic' retreat from the limelight. In 1978, Leonidas Benesa cited Bernardo as 'the most underrated of the exponents of modern art in the Philippines' and as 'second to none in this country in the field of abstraction'," she added.

​Fruits Still Life Series 1946-1947

Being an art fan myself , I was also not aware of Bernardo's works. Indeed, it's like I had revisited a critical gap in the history of Philippine abstract act.
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I had my favorites among a total of around 100 works the exhibition has. One piece that I personally would love to have in my collection was "Wildflower Series 1980".

​"Wildflower Series" 1980 Acrilic on Wood

​This simple yet eye-catching abstract masterpiece of acrylic on wood expressed the raw emotion of sensuality and harmony. I also loved how it communicates influences from the abstraction of renowned American master Josef Albers, who was Bernardo's mentor at Yale.

"Bernardian Synthesis No. 1

​According to Evangelista, the Yale thesis work "Perpetual Motion" was Bernardo's homage to his mentor Albers at Yale. "Josef Albers told Bernardo when he saw his thesis work at Yale, 'You are not my student, you are my peer'."

This is the first opportunity to view the full range of Bernardo’s career that spans more than 60 years. It also marks the artist’s centennial celebration at Ayala Museum.


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ARTICLE IS AN EXTRACT FROM
http://news.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/01/19/14/invisible-master-now-visible-ayala-museum​


Written by:

John Paul C.Tanchanco is a travel, food, party, film and music aficionado. He is also an economist, businessman, MYX/Awit award-winning media producer and Kala guitarist.

Tha Good Life - by John Paul "JP" TanchancoPosted at Jan 20 2014 01:11 AM | Updated as of Jan 20 2014 09:11 AM