Napolen Abueva's Credo at the Ayala Museum (November 6-26)

N.V. ABUEVA'S CREDO
Napoleon Abueva
November 6 to 26, 2006
Museum Plaza

Ayala Museum presents a special exhibition of recent works by National Artist for Sculpture Napoleon V. Abueva from November 7 to 26, 2006 at the Museum Plaza and Museum Lobby.

Entitled N.V. Abueva's Credo, this rare gathering of sculptures features twelve works of different themes and media, providing a glimpse into the scope and depth of Abueva's prolific artistic practice. Since Abueva personally selected these works as a statement of his personal credo, insights into his beliefs about art and life, which have guided him through the years, are given to us.

The youngest among the National Artist Awardees, Abueva received the prestigious title in 1976 at the age of 46, in recognition for his contribution to Philippine modern sculpture since the 1950s. In the last thirty years, he has completed more large-scale and public art projects found throughout the country. Moreover, he has produced several works for private collections in a variety of themes, forms and media. He is considered the "father" of modern Philippine sculpture. His innovative, whimsical, monumental and sometimes humorous creations in wood, brass, bronze, and steel will be featured in this exhibition.

"The Deposition," a 10-foot tall relief carved in white marble from Volkos, Greece, represents the exhibition's centerpiece and is one of Abueva's newest works.

Another major work is a large-scale wooden relief panel depicting religious figures but in a somewhat mythical setting. Completed in 1982, this piece was originally entitled "The Saints Celebrating the Restoration of the Walls of Intramuros," in recognition of Dr. Jaime Lava's term as the first head of the then newly-created Intramuros Administration. Now entitled "Homage to Dr. Jaime C. Lava," the horizontal panel depicts a row of giant figures wearing long robes dancing around the miniscule walled city. Also known for his wit and humor, Abueva distinguishes these figures as saintly only by the halos around their heads and cherubs enjoying the revelry. Otherwise, they appear like intoxicated revelers in a Dionysiac procession.

Aside from religious themes, which abound in Abueva's sculptures, he has also made several functional sculptures, among them furnishings like screens, chairs and tables. He describes his signature design for benches as "scooped out" of solid wood trunks or concrete slabs, of which he has produced different variations. The late Arch. Leandro V. Locsin, also a National Artist, first adopted these as built-in benches in lobbies and hallways for the CCP Main Theater Building. The exhibit will include two long benches (dated 2005) and a two-seater "back-to-back" chair (dated 1975).

N. V. Abueva's Credo is the artist's tribute to the patrons, cultural managers, and friends who have supported him through the years. Proceeds of this exhibition will benefit the continuing education programs of Ayala Museum.

Ayala Museum is located at Greenbelt Park, Makati Avenue corner De La Rosa Street, Makati City, Philippines. The Museum is open from 9 am to 6 pm ooon Tuesdays to Fridays, and 10 am to 7 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. For more information, please call (02) 757-7117 to 21 or visit www.ayalamuseum.org