Meet the New Amorsolos
Life is a fleeting moment but the art we create can live on forever. In my retirement, I have chosen to immortalize the works of two talented artists—Alfred Galura and Rommel Tingzon—with their own show titled “The Nova Amorsolos” at ArtistSpace.
Though Fernando Amorsolo worked in oil, Alfred Galura is an expert watercolorist with a truly God-given talent. He has won many awards here and abroad. In the Korean Biennale of 2010 he garnered 1st Runner Up among 700 entrants. His one-man show at ArtistSpace in 2014 was sold out, bringing tears of joy to this humble artist’s eyes. I met Alfred some 30 years back when my daughter Mia was OJT at Avellana and Associates. Alfred would come in at 4 a.m. every day and work on his art ‘til 8 a.m. (when he began his official office time). His beautiful art and industriousness impressed Mia and she asked me to help him in his art career.
And so I did—and our teamwork has lasted 30 years. His versatility ranges from rural landscapes to still lifes, and on to his magnificent fabric series. The 10 years he spent earning Saudi dollars went for naught when his Bacolor home was buried in the ashes of Mt. Pinatubo; but he has literally risen from the ashes with his successful shows and has relocated to a new home in San Fernando.
Alfred Galura, “Fabric Series #27” (Pineapple)
Alfred Galura, “Fabric Series #27” (Pineapple)
Alfred Galura, “Fabric Series #26” (Pomegranate and Imperial Yellow Chinese Porcelain)
Alfred Galura, “Farmer Green”
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I met the younger Rommel Tingzon again through Mia when he attended her workshop. He was an FEU scholar garnering many awards in the Philippines (GSIS, AAP on the spot competition, DPC/PLDT).
Born in Samar, but growing up in Palawan, Rommel was noticed by Canadian philanthropist Gordon Snyder, who took an interest after discovering 200 works in his home which had been painted over many years. He brought Rommel to Canada and featured him in a solo show in Edmonton at The Works Art & Design Festival where he successfully sold out. I have also featured him in several shows where he proved to be outstanding and admired.
Rommel Tingzon, “Sunset View”
Rommel Tingzon, “Sunset View”
Rommel Tingzon, “Morning at Cadlao Mountain”
Rommel Tingzon, “Reflection and Tattoo”
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As of this writing, he is now in El Nido painting en plein air and tourists are snapping up his freshly painted seascapes in oil.
I have handpicked these two artists to showcase their proven talents in “The Nova Amorsolos,” not to parallel them to the style of our National Artist, but more to share their present-day expertise among our art community in the same way maestro Fernando Amorsolo was outstanding in his era.
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Visit ArtistSpace, May 8-21, for “The Nova Amorosolos” Dela Rosa cor. Paseo de Roxas, Makati City.
