Lecture Notes: Victoria Adadis – "The Builder"

Introduction

• Speaker: Clarissa Chikyamko, Curator at the National Gallery Singapore
• Topic: "The Builder" by Victoria Adadis, housed in the Cultural Center of the Philippines 21AM collection.

The Painting

• Title: The Builder
• Significance: Seminal work in Philippine art history; included in the narrative of Philippine art.
• Exhibited: First shown in Manila in 1928 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
• Setting: Often displayed in rooms where art talks are held, encouraging discussion.

Description

• Subject: Depicts Philippine labor with men in different states of lifting and moving boulders.
• Visual Elements:
  • Men are painted naked to highlight muscular exertion.
  • Use of lighter pigments to accentuate musculature.
  • Men depicted as seasoned laborers, not novices.
  • Various poses showing struggle and effort in labor.
  • Colors of stones and bodies: Shades of brown, beige, and green, evoking earth and nature.
  • Brushstrokes: Bold with impasto, creating a tangible presence.

Artist Background and Technique

• Victoria Adadis: Born 1895, a key figure in Philippine modern art.
• Education: Studied Architecture and Fine Arts at the University of Washington.
• Work Experience: Worked in salmon canneries, which influenced his perspective on labor.
• Technique: Learned painting techniques abroad but focused on Filipino subjects.

Impact and Reception

• Controversy: Contrasted with prevailing art styles by Fernando Amorsolo, which were idealistic.
• Philippine Art Scene: Dominated by Amorsolo's idyllic rural scenes, which differed from Adadis's realistic portrayals of labor.

Contributions to Modern Art

• Teaching and Influence:
  • Established the College of Architecture and Fine Art at the University of Santo Tomas.
  • Collaborated with artists Carlos Boton Francisco and Gallo Ocampo on murals.
• Debate on Art: Debated Guillermo Tolentino on modern vs. academic art.
  • Tolentino favored realistic craftsmanship.
  • Adadis advocated for innovation and self-expression.
• Legacy:
  • Recognized with the National Artist Award for Painting in 1976.
  • Championed expressiveness and originality in art.
  • Eric Torres called him "the man who opened the door of modern art for his countrymen."

Conclusion

• Significance of "The Builder": Represents a shift in Philippine art towards modern themes and techniques.
• Legacy of Adadis: Pioneered modern art in the Philippines through practice, writing, and teaching.

Final Note

• Adadis's work encourages an art that reflects personal experience and cultural heritage, challenging traditional conventions.