Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Thesis - Restricted Access (SIA Only)

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Contemporary Art

First Advisor

Morgan Falconer

Second Advisor

Agnes Berecz

Abstract

With the influx of contemporary Filipino artists making waves in the Western art
scene recently, it would be safe to assume that these would also be the names of the artists popularized and valued back in their homeland art scene in the Philippines. However, this is not the case, with the local art scene still fixated on appreciating its deemed master artists from its classic and early modern eras. In an attempt to explore the possible reasonings behind this phenomenon, a look into the common time frame at which these locally-valued artists practiced is drawn into focus. In doing so, it becomes evident that aside from the influence of the nationally-recognizing National Artist Award, the nationalistic dilemma that has plagued the Filipino minds of defining the Filipino identity as a result of their complex and lengthy colonial history plays a major role. This thesis sequentially examines three artists in particular who continue to have a chokehold prestige in the local art scene, namely Fernando Amorsolo, Fernando Zóbel and Benedicto “Bencab” Cabrera, in doing so, tracing the development of the Filipino identity
discussion throughout time. It also demonstrates that these artists exemplify something specific about the Filipino identity: its national motto and core Filipino values of Makadiyos, Makakalikasan, Makabansa and Makatao (shortly translated to “a love of God, of nature, the country and the people). What becomes evident as a result, is that these artists will most likely continue to hold their pedestals on the local Philippine art scene against their more internationally-recognized contemporaries due to their inseparable ties to nationalistically representing the Filipino identity.

Distinction

1

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