Like grandfather, like granddaughter
KNOWN FOR his modernist geometric abstracts, National Artist for Visual Arts Arturo R. Luz’s works commands millions of pesos in auctions, but now that he has put his life as an artist behind him — in the words of his granddaughter — people can find limited edition prints of his work on sale and on serving trays and boxes until May in two Rustan’s locations — Shangri-La in Mandaluyong and in the department store branch in Makati.
“He’s not producing anymore so we thought about making his works accessible,” Paulina Luz-Sotto, told the media during the launch of the Rustan’s for the Arts program on March 26 at Rustan’s Shangri-La.
Rustan’s for the Arts is meant to encourage awareness and appreciation for local artists as well as making art more accessible to the public.
The program previously featured works of National Artists Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera and Fernando Amorsolo.
Mr. Luz was conferred the National Artist award in 1997.
This time, the program is featuring the works of Mr. Luz and Ms. Luz-Sotto, who started painting in 2015.
“My lolo (grandfather), when asked if there’s anybody who will follow in his footsteps as an artist, would say there’s none, so it came as a surprise to the family that I became an artist,” Ms. Luz-Sotto said before adding that she never thought she would become an artist full-time.
She graduated from Ateneo de Manila University with a Communications degree.
“I never saw him work but his works absolutely influenced my art,” she said.
Ms. Luz-Sotto’s works have clean lines and interesting shapes, reminiscent of her grandfather’s equally geometric style (influenced by Modernist painters like Paul Klee) though her lines are softer. She attributes her style to when she used to do calligraphy and how she enjoyed doing the flourishes of each work.
This is Ms. Luz-Sotto’s second exhibit in Rustan’s for the Arts.
Among Mr. Luz’s prints for sale are his Trio Musicians 2 (P120,000), Cities of the Past 1 (P150,000), and White Temples (P150,000). Each print will only have 12 copies. The same artworks are also sold as serving trays and boxes.
All Arturo R. Luz’s works come with a certificate of authenticity.
Meanwhile, Ms. Luz-Sotto is featuring her works such as Midnight Run (P45,000), Into the City (P40,000), and Blue Mountains (P75,000), all of which are for sale.
Two paintings which Mr. Luz and Ms. Luz-Sotto created together are also on sale: Black/White Collaboration #1 and Black/White Collaboration #2. Both are priced at P480,000.
The Rustan’s for the Arts 2019: Unveiling A Generation of Art exhibit is on view at the third level of Rustan’s Shangri-La in Mandaluyong City until April 30. It will then be exhibited at the fifth level of Rustan’s Makati from May 3 to 15. — Zsarlene B. Chua
