Nemi Miranda’s pure imagination

“I LOOKED at people, I try to imagine them, and draw them from memory. I never use pictures because I hate pictures,” painter Nemi R. Miranda, Jr. said about his creative process. “What you see my painting is the product of my soul.”

The products of his soul are currently on view at the Conrad Manila, which, in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DoT) Region IV-A Calabarzon, launched Nemi Miranda: Visual Diary in Pure Imagination, the 8th exhibit of its Of Art and Wine series, at the hotel’s Gallery C.

Mr. Miranda earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the University of Santo Tomas and went on to found the Angono Ateliers Association in 1975. He then set up the Nemiranda Art House Family Museum to promote art in his hometown.

Known as the “Father of Imaginative Figurism,” Mr. Miranda observes people and their surroundings in his hometown of Angono, Rizal as inspiration for his artworks. After a 50-year career, he said that drawing figures “comes very easy” for him, adding that he has mastered the angles and the way the body moves.

The Conrad exhibit features works depicting Philippine folklore, everyday life, and historical events with themes of love, trials and successes, and the environment.

Growing up, Mr. Miranda was influenced by the murals of Carlos “Botong” Francisco and comics of Francisco V. Coching — both National Artists — which is evident in his works featuring farming, fishing, and historical events.

He was also inspired by the folk tales he was told by his grandparents. “If you tell me a story, I can already imagine the figure and the message I want to implore,” the artist told members of the press during the exhibit’s launch on April 10.

On a contemporary note, for this exhibit Mr. Miranda presents his Homecoming series depicting scenes from the 2017 siege of Marawi. “I want to be a visual historian of my time,” he said.

After a walk through the exhibit, one notes the persistent presence of a bird — which the artist noted is himself. “[When] you see all my paintings, there is a bird. I am the soul inside the painting,” he said.

Nemi Miranda: Visual Diary in Pure Imagination is on view at Gallery C in Conrad Manila until June 10. For further details, call 833-9999, or e-mail conradmanila@conradhotels.com. — Michelle Anne P. Soliman