18 September 2013 - Art lovers, Filipino-Americans, artists and academics trooped to the Arts Asian Arts Gallery of Towson University, Maryland for the opening of the exhibit “Art Filipino: Works by Master Artists” on September 14.

The exhibit, which runs until October 26, is composed primarily of works by contemporary Filipino artists from the permanent collection of the Philippine Center in New York. Pieces from private collections and works by artist Toym Imao, son of Philippine National Artist Abdulmari Asia Imao, are likewise included in the exhibit.

Among the artists featured in the exhibit are National Artists Jose Joya, Imao, and Fernando Amorsolo. The other featured artists are Pacita Abad, Ambie Abaño, Angelito Antonio, the father of Philippine print-making Manuel Rodriguez, Sr., Manuel Baldemor, Lao Lian Bien, Edgar Doctor, Emmanuel Garibay, Rene Robles, Lamberto Hechanova, Raul Isidro, Raul Lebajo, Joey Manlapaz, Romulo Olazo, Julian Oteyza, Rodolfo Paras Perez, Dominic Rubio, Rodolfo Samonte, Blaine San Luis, Roger San Miguel, and Jose “Pinggot” Zulueta.

Philippine Ambassador to the United States (US) Jose L. Cuisia, who concurrently serves as Chair of the Philippine Center Management Board, New York noted the historic significance of the exhibit in that this is only the second time that the Center has loaned some works from its collection to an outside institution. The first time was during the Memphis in May International Festival in 2012 where selected works were displayed at the Memphis Central Library.

He noted that the Center is honored to share these works by acclaimed Filipino artists with a wider audience as part of the Center’s aim to promote a greater understanding of Philippine arts and culture.

Speaking on behalf of Towson University, Dean Susan Picinich of the College of Fine Arts and Communications expressed the institution’s appreciation to the Philippine Center, the private collectors and the Filipino-American Community in making the special exhibit possible.

Also present at the launch were Mrs. Vicky Cuisia, Deputy Consul General & Philippine Center Manager Theresa Dizon-de Vega, Artist Toym Imao who gave a short  talk on Philippine contemporary art, designer Luis Florendo who helped organize the exhibit, Anthony Montcalmo – President of the Asian Arts and Culture Center Advisory Board, Nerissa Paglinauan-Daniels-Program Manager of the Asian Arts Gallery, Ms. Shuwei Shieh former Program Director of the Asian Arts and Culture Center of Towson University, and members of the Filipino-American community. 

For more details on the exhibit, the public may refer to www.towson.edu/asianarts. END