Filipino artist fights waste by using recycled trash in paintings

When Filipino artist Gilbert Angeles found out that his country was one of the world's biggest contributors of plastic trash in the ocean he felt compelled to take action.

Angeles decided the best way to show how discarded waste could be given a new life in a different medium was to incorporate materials ranging from shredded plastic to old paint and leftover construction wood in his paintings.

Since 2019, he has made over two dozen paintings of this kind.

"I make these artworks to raise awareness so we can fight against the trash in our area, to make us more responsible in how we dispose of our trash, and to make us aware of where our trash goes," said the 49-year-old.

The artist sources the materials from around his Manila neighborhood or through donations from contacts he has made since launching his environmental campaign.

Angeles remembers being spurred on to take up the project after seeing a news report about the Philippines being one of the top contributors of plastic waste.

The Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and China account for around 60 percent of the world's marine plastic, or 8 million tons annually, according to a 2017 report from the Ocean Conservancy and the McKinsey Center for Business and Environment.

Angeles' artwork has since been shown in galleries, with paintings selling for around $600 to $3,000, depending on the size. Part of the proceeds goes to his environmental group, Green Artz, which encourages artists to use recycled waste in their work.

"I love the fact that it gives us hope," said Linda Pecoraro, general manager of Conrad Hotel, where Angeles' work is being exhibited.

"It's got beautiful colors and recycled plastic, repurposing things that damage our environment and making them beautiful."

-reuters-

'Hitler' paintings' auction stirs controversy in Germany

NUREMBERG, Germany - Five paintings attributed to Adolf Hitler will be auctioned off Saturday in the German city of Nuremberg, sparking anger that the Nazi memorabilia market is alive and well.

Nuremberg's mayor Ulrich Maly has condemned the upcoming sale as being "in bad taste," speaking to Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper.

Among the items to go under the hammer are a mountain lake view with a starting price of 45,000 euros ($51,000) and a wicker armchair with a swastika symbol presumed to have belonged to the late Nazi dictator.

The Weidler auction house is holding the "special sale" in Nuremberg, the city in which Nazi war criminals were tried in 1945.

The auction made headlines days before its start after several artworks were withdrawn Thursday on suspicion they were fakes and prosecutors stepped in.

Sales of alleged artworks by Hitler -- who for a time tried to make a living as an artist in his native Austria -- regularly spark outrage that collectors are willing to pay high prices for art linked to the country's Nazi past.

"There's a long tradition of this trade in devotional objects linked to Nazism," Stephan Klingen of the Central Institute for Art History in Munich told AFP.

"Every time there's a media buzz about it... and the prices they're bringing in have been rising constantly. Personally, that's something that quite annoys me."

'Ambitious amateur'

In Germany, public displays of Nazi symbols are illegal but exceptions can be made, in educational or historic contexts for instance.

To comply with the law, the auction house pixelated the swastikas on the wicker chair and a blue-and-white Meissen porcelain vase in catalog photos, and has covered them up on-site.

But none of the paintings include any of the totalitarian party's insignia.

According to Klingen, Hitler had the style of "a moderately ambitious amateur" but his creations did not stand out from "hundreds of thousands" of comparable works from the period -- making their authenticity especially hard to verify.

A haul of 26 pieces originally featured in the catalog have been removed from sale after suspicions were raised that they might be fakes.

The watercolors, drawings and paintings bearing "Hitler" signatures featured views of Vienna or Nuremberg, female nudes and still lifes, the auction house said. They were offered by 23 different owners. 

Prosecutors on Wednesday collected 63 artworks from the Weidler premises bearing the signature "A.H." or "A. Hitler," including some not slated to go under the hammer Saturday.

The Nuremberg-Fuerth prosecutor's office said it had opened an investigation against persons unknown "on suspicion of falsifying documents and attempted fraud," chief prosecutor Antje Gabriels-Gorsolke told AFP.

"If they turn out to be fakes, we will then try to determine who knew what in the chain of ownership," she said.

Weidler said in a statement that the paintings' withdrawal from sale "does not automatically mean they are fakes".

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Obamas reveal unconventional portraits in Washington

WASHINGTON - Former US first couple Barack and Michelle Obama unveiled their portraits at Washington's National Gallery Monday, 2 contrasting works by African American artists that shocked and delighted.

The paintings by Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald, commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, were revealed at a star-studded event that is a rite of passage for most former American presidents. 

The museum holds portraits of all American ex-commanders in chief, but these latest additions stand in stark contrast to the more buttoned-down approach of traditional presidential portraiture.

Both show their subjects -- America's first black presidential couple -- looking cool and confident, a stark contrast to the bubbling swamp of anger and braggadocio that is political Washington today.

Wiley painted the ex-president against a signature lush botanical backdrop.

Obama, in a serious seated pose at the edge of a wooden chair, is enmeshed in a thicket of leaves and flowers that recall the tropical hues of the 44th president's home state of Hawaii. 

"How about that? That's pretty sharp," Obama joked, as he thanked staff and friends in attendance.

The internet quickly got busy making jokes about him being stuck in a bush.

'CHARM AND HOTNESS'  

Obama also praised Sherald for "so spectacularly capturing the grace and beauty and intelligence and charm and hotness of the woman that I love."

The Baltimore-based artist rendered Michelle Obama in her trademark grayscale, with only a few splashes of coral, pink and yellow, against an eggshell blue backdrop. 

The resulting image makes the subject's race almost an afterthought.

Obama's dress -- true to form for a first lady whose wardrobe was often the focus of attention -- dominates the frame.

As in Sherald's previous paintings of African American subjects, Michelle Obama appears poised and powerful as she looks down on the viewer.

Obama's portrait will be hung alongside those of former presidents, including the Lansdowne portrait of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart.

Michelle Obama's likeness will hang at the gallery until November this year.

The official portraits of the Obamas, which will be displayed the White House, have not yet been commissioned.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Famed Pinoy artist showcases paintings in Canada

NORTH YORK, Ontario – Renowned Filipino artist Manuel Baldemor is touring Canada to showcase his art as part of continuing celebrations of the 117th anniversary of Philippine independence.

Baldemor's art exhibit titled "Doon po sa Amin" official opened to the public at the North York Civic Centre.

His Canadian tour started in Ottawa, Montreal, followed by Toronto with Vancouver as last stop.

"I have to count my blessings. I want to connect. I want to share my visions about Philippines to the Filipinos overseas," he said.

Baldemor is best known as a folk artist, using simplified geometric colorful forms. His paintings depict day-to-day activities of rural life.

"The most important for me is the colors and forms. Everybody has a color signature," he said.

For years, his works have been in the production on UNICEF greeting cards and distributed worldwide.

"We are very happy to share the artworks of Mr. Baldemor. He captures in his canvass glimpses of rural life and in that way he helps in perpetuating Philippine culture and tradition," said Hon. Rosalita Prospero, Philippine Consul General in Toronto.

Baldemor was influenced by his hometown Laguna where locals are known for their wood carvings.

By his travel around the world, exposing him to new ideas, he was also chosen as an artist in residence in Chile, France, Israel, Japan, Singapore, Switzerland and Portugal.

"I'm like an archeologist. I want to learn everyday. I want to dig. I want to learn different cultures from different countries," Baldemor said.

Read more on Balitang America:

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

LOOK: Artist paints Pacquiao using blood

MANILA -- An artist from San Jose City in Nueva Ecija expressed his support for Manny Pacquiao by painting the Filipino boxer using his own blood.

Elito Circa, who goes by the Amang Pintor, is known for using his own hair and blood (Type O) for his paintings.

His painting of Pacquiao depicts the different aspects of the boxer's life, including his stint as a singer and his role as a congressman.

Circa also emphasized Pacquiao's religiosity in his painting.

"Kasi 'yung pagiging maka-Diyos, 'yung mapagkumbaba niya, gusto ko 'yun," he said.

Circa added he only uses his blood in painting themes that are close to his heart, like the portraits of his two sons.

"Hindi ko ginagamit sa lahat ng painting ko, kapag mahalaga para sa akin 'yung subject gagamitan ko ng dugo," he said.

The painter also clarified that his work is not for sale.

Whether Pacquiao wins or loses, Circa hopes that the boxer's attitude does not change.

"Sana huwag siya magbago 'pag natalo siya. Ang mahalaga, 'yung personality niya," he said. -- report from Noriel Padiernos, ABS-CBN News North Central Luzon

Mobile users can view the desktop version of the slideshow here.

 

Elito Circa, known as Amang Pintor, painted a portrait of Pacquiao using his own blood. Photo taken from Amang Pintor' Facebook page.

 source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Sandigan OKs transfer of Marcos paintings to National Museum

MANILA - The Sandiganbayan First Division has ordered the transfer of 15 paintings seized from former First Lady Imelda Marcos from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to the National Museum.

The BSP earlier manifested before the court that it does not have the capacity to maintain the paintings, which were brought to its custody after the Sandiganbayan seized them from the Marcoses.

The National Museum told the court that it has the "technical, curatorial and organizational expertise" for the proper care and management of the paintings.

Among the paintings are three versions of Michelangelo's Madonna and Child. The BSP said it cannot vouch for the authenticity of the paintings.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Sandigan eyes 9 paintings in Imelda's office

MANILA, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan is determined to recover nine prized paintings still in the possession of Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos.

The paintings, found in the office of Marcos at the House of Representatives, were among 24 artworks covered by a writ of attachment issued by the anti-graft court on Sept. 29.

The Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) had seized 15 of the paintings from her family’s San Juan City residence.

Sandiganbayan sheriffs and agents of the National Bureau of Investigation, along with representatives of the PCGG and Office of the Solicitor General, failed to confiscate the artworks in Imelda’s office due to lack of clearance from the Office of the Speaker.

Romulo Barrozo, sheriff of the House of Representatives, placed the nine paintings under custodia legis by signing the back of each artwork and serving a duplicate copy of the writ of attachment on Mrs. Marcos’ chief-of-staff Filadelfo Diaz to prevent the same from being moved without court approval.

The nine paintings found in Marcos’ office are Michelangelo Buonarotti’s Madonna and Child; Vase of Red Chrysanthemums by Bernard Buffet; Still Life with Idol by Paul Gaugin; L’ Aube by Joan Miro; Femme Cauchee VI by Pablo Picasso; Jardin de Kew Prés de la Serre, 1892 by Camille Pissarro; La Baignade au Grand Lemps by Pierre Bonnard; Picnic (Grandma Moses) 1959 by Anne Mary Robertson; and Moon Madness 1982 by Andrew Wyeth.

The artworks now under the custody of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas include three Madonna and Child paintings; a Femme Au Chapeu (Woman in Hat); five Vase De Fleurs (Vase of Flowers), the Paysage; a Jeune Femme En Rouge; a Coupe De Fleurs, a Panier De Fruits and a Jeune Femme Shabilant “Chavalet,” all by Paule Gobillard, and a Picasso Replica Bass Strokes painting.

Read more from The Philippine Star

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

PH art exhibit on display in Switzerland

MANILA - Philippine contemporary and traditional art are on display at the Museo delle Culture in Lugano, Switzerland.

The exhibit features 36 paintings and sculptures of Filipino artist Ronald Ventura and 35 pieces of traditional Philippine art, including bulul sculptures from the Musee du quai Branly in Paris.

Ventura is one of the leading contemporary artists in the Philippines and has exhibited in Manila, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and Milan. Born in Manila in 1973, his art features themes and references from traditional Filipino culture and western pop elements.

The art exhibit, organized by the Canton of Ticino and the City of Lugano, was opened by Philippine Ambassador Leslie Baja and Lugano Mayor Marco Borradori on March 6. It was jointly curated by Patrick Flores of the UP Vargas Museum and Jessica Savoia of the Museum.

Baja thanked the City of Lugano and the Museum for organizing the exhibition which strengthens the cultural and people to people links between the Philippines and Switzerland.

Baja added that the exhibit will create greater awareness on Philippine art among the Swiss and help promote greater understanding between the two countries.

The exhibit will run until June 1, 2014.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Google commemorates Rembrandt van Rijn's 407th birthday with a doodle

The Google's homepage doodle today depicts the self portrait by Rembrandt in 1659 to commemorate the Dutch painter's 407th birthday. The portrait is an oil painting with up-turned collar which is preserved in the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC (US) since 1937.

Rembrandt van Rijn is known as one of the greatest painters in Europe during the Dutch cultural Golden age. He made more than 600 paintings, about 400 etchings and 2,000 drawings, it is claimed.  As a versatile painter, he successfully did portraits, landscapes and narrative paintings with various themes. He did about 40 self-portraits.



Rembrandt was born on 15 July 1606 in Leiden, the Dutch Republic or Netherlands. As school-going child and later as an art student, he apprenticed the work of Jacob van Swanenburgh.

He opened a studio in Leiden for a year or two and later moved to Amsterdam to become a noted professional portraitist and creative painter. He married Saskia van Uylenburgh in 1634 but was struck with tragedy to lose his three children and then his wife. He died on October 4, 1669 in Amsterdam.

The collections of Rembrandt's work are at Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum, Hague's Mauritshuis, Hermitage Museum, the National Gallery, London, and many other western countries. His home, preserved as the Rembrandt House Museum in Amsterdam, displays many examples of his etchings.

source: merinews.com

Rare Paul Cezanne watercolor auctioned in US

NEW YORK -- A rare watercolor by French artist Paul Cezanne fetched $19.12 million at Christie's auction house in New York late Tuesday.

The painting, titled "A Card Player," kicked off a spring auction of impressionist and modern art.

The watercolor, which measures 46.7 by 30.5 centimeters, was found in the private collection of the late Heinz Eichenwald, a medical doctor and art collector who emigrated to the United States in the mid-1930s and spent his career in Dallas, Texas. The watercolor was last seen in public in 1953.

The work "is one of the artist's preparatory studies for Les joueurs de cartes (Card Players), the seminal five-painting series that Cézanne completed between 1890 and 1896," Christie's said in a statement.

The auction house had estimated it would sell at between $15 million and $20 million.

Over the course of one hour, 31 paintings and sculptures went under the hammer. Several were sold at below or just above their price estimate, while three did not meet the minimum requested bid.

Successful sales include a 1907 Henri Matisse painting titled "Peonies" -- a white-and-blue checkered vase holding flowers -- that was auctioned for $19.2 million, far above its original estimate of between $8 million and $12 million.

"The Sleeper (Marie-Therese Walter)," a 1932 portrait by Pablo Picasso, was valued at between $5 million and $7 million, and sold at $9.88 million.

However a larger Picasso painting, "Two Reclining Nudes" (1968), was sold for $8.8 million. Its value had been estimated at between $8 million and $12 million.

A Joan Miro painting titled "L'arête rouge transperce les plumes bleues de l'oiseau au pâle bec" had an estimated value of between $4.5 million and $6.5 million, and sold for $4.33 million.

An Alberto Giacometti figure, "Bust of Diego," was withdrawn just before the auction began.

Christie's said its sales for the night totaled $117 million dollars.

Late Wednesday at Sotheby's auction house the iconic "Scream" by Norwegian Edvard Munch goes under the hammer. The 1895 painting is estimated to be worth $80 million.

source: interaksyon.com

Unicef auctions off Manny Baldemor paintings

MANILA, Philippines - UNICEF Philippines and eBay Philippines launch their second online fundraising campaign through UNICEF Auction for Action: The Manny Baldemor Sabrosa Series until Dec. 11 at www.ebay.ph/unicef.

As one of the featured artists in the first UNICEF Auction for Action last May, UNICEF visual artist Manny Baldemor once again shares his generous talent for the benefit of UNICEF programs for children in the Philippines and worldwide.

“I have received so many blessings that it’s only right to share and give back. Children’s welfare has always been close to my heart and that’s why I work with UNICEF Philippines because they help children in the poorest and most disadvantaged areas,” shares Baldemor.

The Sabrosa series was conceived during Baldemor’s art residency in Sabrosa, Portugal earlier this year. Located in the northern part of Portugal, the municipality of Sabrosa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also the birthplace of Ferdinand Magellan, the first European navigator who reached Philippine shores in 1521.

The series of landscapes was inspired when Baldemor took a boat ride down the great river Duoro, “I took a glance upwards as we passed a steep incline and saw vineyards of different levels that would make our own famous Rice Terraces look like anthills. It was awesome. I’ve never seen layers and layers of vines in a gigantic mountain that almost touches the sky… I wondered if the vineyards were already there 500 years ago when Ferdinand Magellan trekked from this mountain of vines, down to the River Duoro to the Atlantic and finally to the Pacific Ocean,” he says.

UNICEF Country Representative Vanessa Tobin shares, “UNICEF thanks Manny Baldemor for being a staunch supporter having lent his iconic designs to UNICEF cards and products and holding exhibitions of paintings for the benefit of our programs for children. Proceeds from the online auction of the Sabrosa series will go towards our work for street children programs.”

Auction for Action: The Manny Baldemor Sabrosa Series on www.ebay.ph/unicef is live and will run for seven days until Dec. 11 at 8 p.m. Watch out for this exclusive auction and help make a difference for children.

UNICEF is on the ground in over 190 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS.

In the Philippines for over 60 years, UNICEF works through partners to reach disadvantaged children and communities to ensure children are healthy, educated and protected from harm. UNICEF is quick to respond in emergencies to ensure affected communities are reached and provided with services from local governments and other service providers.

source: philstar.com