MAURO "MALANG" SANTOS
Self-taught painter Mauro Malang Santos was born on 1928 in Sta. Cruz, Manila. A recipient of the 1994 Cultural Center of the Philippines Gawad for the Visual Arts, he belongs to the second generation of modernists. He attended the Otis Art Institute in Los Angeles, California, for training in art design in 1965. Malang has had a staggering resume of group and solo shows and continues to exhibit a number of works. Since the 1960s, he has joined exhibitions abroad, such as those in London, Munich, Rome, San Francisco, Hong Kong, and Singapore. He has also participated in several art festivals including those held in Bali, Indonesia in 1987 and Bahrain in 1981.
In 1997, Malang's retrospective exhibition was held at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila. Among his many awards are the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines and First Prize for Watercolor at the Art Association of the Philippines, both presented to him in 1963. He began his career in art as a designer for the national paper, Manila Chronicle, and its supplement, This Week Magazine. Despite an opportunity to study at the University of the Philippines' School of Fine Arts, the artist attended it only for one term, opting to begin work for the paper as soon as he was offered the job. By 1965, he retired from the paper to become a full-time painter.
Malang's first solo exhibition was held at the Philippine Art Gallery (PAG) in Manila. This was followed five years later at the Luz Gallery in Manila. Both are among the earliest art galleries in Manila and also supported the rise of the modern art movement in the Philippines. Hernando R. Ocampo, who was another self-taught painter and member of the avant-garde Neo-Realist group that met frequently at the PAG, inspired him. Ocampo was Malang's former chief at the magazine who encouraged him to paint during those long hours of the press's graveyard shift. As a result, the young artist realized his potential and has gone on to rise as one of the most important modern painters in the country.--article from www.cruciblegallery.com
Malang is celebrating his 78th birthday with an art exhibit at SM Mega Art Center, curated by West Gallery
The celebration and exhibit opening
Last Friday (January 20, 2006)... I attended the opening of the Mauro Malang Exhibit at SM Mega Art Center, as part of his 78th birthday celebration.
Me and Precious just came on time. Opening prayer yung naabutan namin. I'm so excited to witness the greatness of Sir Malang in his career. Talagang isa sya sa maipagmamalaki ng Pilipino sa buong mundo.
I saw many of his works before and i find it so fascinating and inspiring. The way he mix his colors to give life to his paintings... I may say that he is one of the best, and one of so many artist that I look up to.
This humble man touches and inspires so many young artists of our generation. Sabi nga ni KING, he likes his paintings kasi halos ganon ung style nya sa pag-ppaint nya, and I think, tama sya, kasi may similarities yung artworks nila. Sinabi nya yon nung pinakita ko yung mga pictures nung event sa kanya. He said, he likes paintings na parang mapapaisip ka. heheheh!!!
Moving on... Maggi is with us. Sumunod sya sa amin ni Precious. Kung tutuusin, dapat mauuna si Maggi, pero dahil sa sobrang pasaway na traffic, ayun inabot si Magz ng katakot-takot traffic.
When we get there, we saw many familiar faces, of course most of them were artists too. But there some personalities who came (Joel Mendez and Victor Wood).
Maam Sue and Ms. Gik were there also, they are friends of Sir Malang and the rest of the Saturday Group Artists. Of course, mawawala ba dun si Sir Sena, my mentor and one of my most admired realist artist.
It was a very fun night. We really had great time spending his birthday. Pero syempre, makikita mo yung happiness and joy on Sir Malang's face. kasi nandun yung newly-born great grandchild and his family.
To you Sir Malang, thank you for sharing us your talent and showing us that you are "THE ARTIST WITH NO ANGST!"..... More years to come.
THE SATURDAY GROUP
In the nation's most prestigious art community whose members read like a who's who in local modern art, it's quite surprising to learn that among the art masters are Malang Santos, Cris Cruz, King Verano, Fernando Sena.....Buds Convocar (President), Reilly Boquireen, Jake Blanco, Cana, Ben Infante, Alpha Larracas, Anna de Leon, Wilson Ma, Nik Masangcay, Merci Melchor, Roel Obemio, Ernie Patricia, Roland Santos, Bing Siochi, Sheila Tiangco, Lydia Velasco and Migs Villanueva... They are all humble and fun to be with. I just hope that one day, maka-jam ko sila sa painting session.
EXHIBIT
Oh di ba?? Masaya!!!
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PRECIOUS' BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
It's a very fun celebration, after ng Malang Exhibit, nagpaalam na kami kila Maam Sue, kasi we are about to celebrate Precious' Birthday. Yehey!!! madami din ang nangyari that night..heheh!! but fo course, super happy si Precious, kaya naman we're happy for her. Dami food..hahahah!!!
We love you Precious!!!
