AYALA Museum and Ayala Center Cebu, in collaboration with Ayala Foundation, Inc., the Javier Lacson Family and Ayala Corporation, with the support of AIR21, present “Botong Francisco: A Nation Imagined Traveling Exhibition” to open in Cebu this month.
From May 10 to 17 at The Gallery, the “Botong Francisco: A Nation Imagined” exhibit will be mounted and will gather over 20 works, including large-scale paintings, by Botong from several public and private collections. The exhibit pays tribute to our National Artist for Visual Arts and features several studies and sketches that were never-before seen in public. Originally launched at the Ayala Museum’s Ground and Third Floor Galleries last December 2012, A Nation Imagined: Travelling Exhibition has been seen all over Ayala malls and universities nationwide and aim to bring art beyond the museum to new audiences outside Manila.
Carlos “Botong” Francisco began his artistic career as layout artist-illustrator at the Philippine Herald and the Manila Tribune before he worked with other young artists like Vicente Manansala, Cesar Legaspi, H.R. Ocampo, and Galo Ocampo. He also collaborated with Manuel Conde in several films in the 1950s as production designer for set and costumes, including in the movie Genghis Khan before he was named National Artist in 1973.
Accompanying the exhibit is a film produced by Ayala Foundation, Inc. (AFI) on Botong’s vision and artistry. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Peque Gallaga, the short documentary that had also been selected for inclusion in the documentary category at the 2013 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival at the Cultural Center of the Philippines will be shown during the opening on May 10, 6 p.m. at The Gallery.
“Botong Francisco: A Nation” Imagined is also one of the events in the year-long Carlos “Botong” Francisco Centennial Celebration. Through Botong’s birth centennial, the show will exemplify how he endowed Philippine painting with well-entrenched iconic images of history and cherished customs.
Catch this vivid display of paintings that pays tribute to our National Artists for Visual Arts. and more only at Cebu’s premiere lifestyle destination for shopping, dining and entertainment. For more inquiries, call the Concierge at 232-0380. (PR)
