Cebuano Abstract Expressionism

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Abstract expressionism is the term applied to new forms of abstract art developed by American painters such as Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko and Willem de Kooning in the 1940s and 1950s. It is often characterised by gestural brush-strokes or mark-making, and the impression of spontaneity

Within abstract expressionism were two broad groupings: the so-called action painters, who attacked their canvases with expressive brush strokes; and the colour field painters who filled their canvases with large areas of a single colour.




Wenceslao “Tito” Cuevas (September 2, 1938 –March 19, 2012), a renowned third generation Cebuano artist, whose non-conformist attitude paved the way for Filipino modern art to emerge in the Queen City of the South. He is regarded as the Father of Cebuano Abstract Expressionism

Cuevas exposed himself to art outside the Philippines. "This exposure paved way for his signature abstract expressionist style. Splatters of paint and bold brush strokes done in bright colors set against a black background have become apparent in a Cuevas piece,". 

Cuevas made the ultimate sacrifice for art when he quit his executive position in Philippine Airlines to become a full-time painter. He had his stint of financial difficulties, but he soon managed to establish a niche in the local art market as an abstract painter when most other artists in Cebu did realist landscapes, portraits and still lifes. 

Today, his paintings are sought by collectors not only in Cebu but in Manila and even abroad.

He inspired several renowned next generation abstract expressionist  Lucilo Sagayno.



Examples shown are abstract expressionist works by renowned Cebuano visual artists Darby Vincent Alcoseba and Cesar Castillo in 2014 (above) and recent work by Lucilo" Jojo" Sagayno (below).


 


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