Hernando R. Ocampo

Hernando R. Ocampo (April 18, 1911 – December 28, 1978) is a Filipino National Artist in the visual arts. He is also fictionist, a playwright and editor.Endaya, Imelda Cajipe (artist and independent curator) and Cecilia B. Rebong (Philippine Consul-General). "Pamana: Modernong Sining" (A Heritage of Modern Art), An Art Exhibit from the Collection of the Philippine Center in New York, Printed Catalogue, The Consulate General of the Philippines, Philippine Center Management Board, and PCGNY.net, June 11, 2007, 12 pages.]

Profile of the Artist

Hernando Ruiz Ocampo was a leading radical modernist artist in the Philippines. He was a member of the Saturday Group of artists (also known as the Taza de Oro Group), and was one of the pre-war Thirteen Moderns, a group of modernist artists founded by Victorino C. Edades in 1938. Famously known for his triumvirate of with neo-realists Vicente S. Manansala and Cesar Legaspi, his works reflected the harsh realities of his country after the Second World War. However, many of his works depicted lush sceneries and the beautiful Philippine landscapes through his skillful use of fierce and bold colors. [http://www.globalpinoy.com/ch/ch_nationalartists_sub.php?name=Hernando+R.+Ocampo+(1911-1978)&category=Visual+Arts Cultural Heritage - Home ] ]

H. R. Ocampo was credited for inventing a new mode of abstraction that exemplifies Philippine flora and fauna, and portrays sunshine, stars and rain. Using movement and bold colors, Ocampo utilized fantasy and science fiction as the basis for his works. His art is described to be "abstract compositions of biological forms that seemed to oscillate, quiver, inflame and multiply] " like mutations. His "A Wiping" (1974, oil on canvas, 30 inches x 40 inches) is a flat rendition of a style that Ocampo himself revealed to be a representation of "visual melody".

Ocampo was born in Santa Cruz, Manila, but later transferred to Maypajo, Caloocan. His parents were Emilio Ocampo y Saltiero and Delfina Ruiz y Santo. He originally studied law, commerce and creative writing, and worked as a writer before he taught himself the visual arts. During his career as a writer, he was one of the organizers of Veronicans, a young group of progressive and prolific writers. He worked in various periodicals such as "Taliba" newspaper and "Manila Sunday Chronicle" magazine. He also worked as a scriptwriter and director for television, and produced and directed for the Filipino Players Guild.

His works as a writer includes “Don’t Cry, Don’t Fret” in poetry; “Ikalawang Pagdalaw,” “Unang Pamumulaklak,” “Rice and Bullets,” and “Bakia” in fiction; and “Buntot Page,” a screenplay written with Mario David.

His major works in the visual arts include "Ina ng Balon, Calvary, Slum Dwellers, Nude with Candle and Flower, Man and Carabao, Angel's Kiss, Palayok at Kalan, Ancestors, Isda at Mangga, The Resurrection, Fifty-three "Q,” Back drop, Fiesta, Mother and Child, Easter Sunday," and his most acknowledged work "Genesis," which served as the basis of curtain design in the Cultural Center of the Philippines Main Theater. His works were exhibited in Washington, New York, London, and Tokyo, among others. [http://www.ncca.gov.ph/about_cultarts/comarticles.php?artcl_Id=169 About Culture and Arts ] ]

Awards received include: Republic Cultural Award in 1965; Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan Award in 1969; Diwa ng Lahi Award in 1976; and Gawad CCP para sa Sining Award in 1979.

Ocampo died at the age of 67 in Caloocan City. He was posthumously declared as a National Artist for the Visual Arts in 1991.

References

ee also

*Art of the Philippines