Cebuano Artists Painting Collection- Jose "Kimsoy" Yap Jr.

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Bliss (BooNana) , 15" x 20", Pencil Sketch, 2009

Jose "Kimsoy" Yap Jr. was born on March 7, 1944 in Bindoy, Negros Oriental, Philippines. Graduated from the Cebu Institute of Technology with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Architecture, he then continued and studied painting at the National Academy of Design School of Fine Arts in New York. He also taught at the University of San Carlos and Cebu Academy of Arts. 
 
His art journey started with hardships together with renowned sculptor, painter, novelist and architect Arsenio "Arsing" Abella. In 2017, both had a reunion exhibit, Art Biography at Manila Art Frames- the first gallery they exhibited in 1969. Later, with ease together with eminent Samboan artist Benji Goyha, whom he bonded owing to a shared vision for art promotion, tourism and mentoring of young Cebuano artists. Both organized art workshops and excursions in Cebu province especially in Goyha's hometown Samboan.
 
Kimsoy Yap, a humble, unassuming and soft spoken individual who shuns fame and lionization, is one of the top watercolorist in the Philippines- having taught, inspired and wholeheartedly helped generations of artists in Cebu and the rest of the country. Exceptional artists in the medium mentored or inspired by Mr. Kimsoy include Luther Galicano, Reynan Dingal, Jonathan Abellana, Cesar Castillo, Maxcel Migallos, Fred Galan, Pempe Ybañez, Tony Alcoseba, Darby Vincent Alcoseba, Manuel Pañares, Melver Mercado, Melbourne "Cocoy" Paano, Clint Normandia, Jess Dinglasa and Kulay sa Tubig (the olympics of watercolor competition in the Philippines) Hall of Famer and back to back winner of the "Best of the Best" category, Virgilio "Billy" Pomida. 

He also leads MUGNA, a select group of artists, mostly in the academe, coming from different groups and representing a wide range of stylistic tendencies that somehow reflect the diversity of contemporary art in Cebu. 

Although watercolor painting seemingly looks easy to execute, it requires agonizing planning. It is the most difficult medium to control and master; water has its own movement, and correction makes the mistake obvious. It is impossible to fake a watercolor- the original artist can't even copy his own work.
 
Having studied under Martino Abellana from 1960-1964 and at the National Academy of Design School of Fine Arts in New York, from 1971-1988 under Robert Philipp, Raymund Breinin, Hugh Gumpel and Milet Andrejevic. His favorite artists are American realist painter Andrew Wyeth and landscapist and illustrator Homer Winslow. Kimsoy's painting style depicts traces of western influence, yet an intrinsic Filipino character remains in his art pieces. 
 
What is striking in most of his works is the conscious use of line and space; making the most of each minute stroke, for example, to bring about the best effect with the color, size and texture of the paper considered. 
 
The phrase "less is more" and "not everything needs to be seen" could be applied to some of his works lending a deeper drama to each of his paintings. 
 
Some of his awards include: 1970 - 3rd Prize- South East Asian Art Competition (Singapore) 2003 - 2nd Prize, On-the Spot Painting Competition, Sibonga, 2004, 2nd Prize Painting Competition, Liloan, Cebu 1973-1987 - Numerous Awards from National Academy of Design School of Fine Arts 1974 - James Augustus Suydam Bronze Medal 1976-Louis La Beaume Prize 1978 - Mary Hinman Carter Prize 1979- Alice G. Melrose Prize 1981 - Julius Halgarten Prize 1982- Elliot Silver Medal for Drawing 1987 - Leon Neckhamen Prize Member Organizations: Kolor Sugbo. 

Years back, Kimsoy suffered a debilitating stroke and for a time was unable to paint. But with God's grace and an indomitable spirit, he overcame his disability by learning to be ambidextrous; parodoxically, he now paints superiorly, and continues to clearly see his subject’s inner self, allowing his audience to better see the beauty of the person within. He portrays nature with a fresh perspective- that of a convalescent soul that has been restored to physical and spiritual well being. 
 
He is the first recipient of the 2023 Sugbuanong Bahandi (Cebuano Treasure) award given to outstanding visual artists by the city of Cebu. The other recipient was Romulo "Mulong" Galicano.
 
Currently (2023), Kimsoy is busy working on a book on his life and art to be published next year by BambooVillage Publishing. It will be authored by the youthful literary  and artistic triumvirate of Jay Nathan Jore, Alyssa Selanova and Sayoka Takemura. 
 
Under the inspiration, encouragement and guidance of the good ambassador, an unwavering supporter of the arts and Cebuano-at-heart,  Jose Maria Cariño, who once declared "Kimsoy is one of the greatest Cebuano artists who walked this Earth, he should be remembered by generations of Filipinos", a museum for his masterpieces is in the groundwork.
 
Samboan Shores, Watercolor, 30" x 24", 2023

Shown are some of his works: "Bliss"- a sketch of my children Vincent and Vianna, 2009. Watercolor works- Samboan Shores, Sea, Boats and Waterscape Series, 2022-23.











*updated July 2023

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