NATIONAL ARTIST FOR VISUAL ARTS  Known as the "Father of Modern

1. Fernando Amorsolo y Cueto (May 30, 1892 Philippine Sculpture." National Artist
– April 24, 1972) for Sculpture in 1976.
 A portraitist and painter of rural Artworks:
Philippine landscapes. Nicknamed the • Kaganapan (1953)
"Grand Old Man of Philippine Art," he • The Transfiguration (1979) – Eternal
was the first-ever to be recognized as Gardens Memorial Park
a National Artist of the Philippines in • Sandugo (Blood Compact) –
1972. Tagbilaran City, Bohol
Artworks: • UP Gateway (1967)
• Maiden in a Stream (1921) – GSIS • Nine Muses (1994) – UP Faculty
collection Center
• El Ciego (1928) – Central Bank of the
Philippines collection 5. Victorio Candido Edades (December 23,
• Dalagang Bukid (1936) – Club 1895 – March 7, 1985)
Filipino collection  Recognized as the "Father of Modern
• The Mestiza (1943) – National Philippine Art." National Artist for
Museum of the Philippines collection Painting in 1976.
• Planting Rice (1946) – UCPB Artworks:
collection • The Builders
• Interaction
2. Carlos “Botong” Villaluz Francisco • The Sketch
(November 4, 1912 – March 31, 1969) • The Model and the Artist
 A muralist and modernist, he is known
for grand historical scenes and Filipino 6. Vicente Silva Manansala (January 22, 1910
cultural themes. Posthumously – August 22, 1981)
awarded National Artist for Visual Arts  A pioneer of Cubism and Neo-Realism
in 1973. in the Philippines. National Artist for
Artworks: Painting in 1981.
• The Progress of Medicine in the Artworks:
Philippines • Madonna of the Slums
• First Mass at Limasawa • Jeepneys
• The Martyrdom of Rizal • Kalabaw
• Bayanihan • Mother and Child

3. Guillermo Estrella Tolentino (July 24, 1890 7. Cesar Torrente Legaspi (April 2, 1917 –
– July 12, 1976) April 7, 1994)
 A classical sculptor most famous for  Refined Philippine Cubism with social
the Oblation and Bonifacio themes. National Artist for Painting in
Monument. National Artist for 1990.
Sculpture in 1973. Artworks:
Artworks: • Gadgets II
• UP Oblation • The Beggars
• Bonifacio Monument • Man and Woman
• Grupo de Filipinos Ilustres • Turning Point

4. Napoleón Isabelo Veloso Abueva (January 8. Hernando Ruiz Ocampo (April 28, 1911 –
26, 1930 – February 16, 2018) December 28, 1978)
  A leading abstract artist known for  A pioneer of abstract expressionism in
biomorphic shapes and vibrant colors. the Philippines. National Artist for
National Artist for Visual Arts in 1991. Visual Arts in 2003.
Artworks: Artworks:
• Genesis – Cultural Center of the • Granadean Arabesque
Philippines curtain design • Jedda
• Slum Dwellers • Space Transfiguration
• Mother and Child • Jedda Arabia
• Calvary
13. Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera (born April
9. Arturo Rogerio Luz (November 20, 1926 – 10, 1942)
May 26, 2021)  Contemporary painter and printmaker
 A modernist artist known for known for expressive figures. National
minimalist geometric forms. National Artist for Visual Arts in 2006.
Artist for Visual Arts in 1997. Artworks:
Artworks: • Sabel series
• Bagong Taon • Larawan series
• Cityscape • Women in Distress
• Carnival Forms • Dance of Isadora
• The Traveler
14. Abdulmari Asia Imao (January 14, 1936 –
10. Jeremias Elizalde Navarro (May 22, 1924 December 16, 2014)
– June 10, 1999)  The first Muslim National Artist for
 Painter and sculptor known for Visual Arts. Celebrated for integrating
blending native and modern art Muslim motifs like the sarimanok and
forms. National Artist for Visual Arts okir. National Artist for Sculpture in
in 1999. 2006.
Artworks: Artworks:
• I'm Sorry Jesus, I Can't Attend • Sarimanok
Christmas This Year • Okir sculptures
• Kudlit Kudlit Series • Islamic calligraphy-inspired art
• Sayaw sa Alon
• Anito 15. Federico Aguilar Alcuaz (June 6, 1932 –
February 2, 2011)
11. Ang Kiukok (March 1, 1931 – May 9,  Painter known for abstract and
2005) gestural style using acrylic and oil.
 Expressionist painter known for National Artist for Visual Arts in 2009.
dynamic and emotionally charged Artworks:
works. National Artist for Visual Arts • Tres Marias
in 2001. • Barcelona Series
Artworks: • Seated Woman
• Crucifixion series • Abstract Still Life
• Fighting Cocks
• Man and Dog 16. Francisco V. Coching (January 29, 1919 –
• Fish September 1, 1998)
 Legendary comic book artist and
12. Jose Tanig Joya (June 3, 1931 – May 11, writer. Posthumously named National
1995) Artist for Visual Arts in 2014.
 Artworks: FAMOUS ARTIST FOR VISUAL ARTS
• Pedro Penduko 1. Fernando Amorsolo y Cueto (May 30, 1892
• El Indio – April 24, 1972)
• Hagibis  A portraitist and painter of rural
• Sabas, ang Barbaro Philippine landscapes. Nicknamed the
"Grand Old Man of Philippine Art",
17. Lauro “Larry” Alcala (August 18, 1926 – he was the first National Artist of the
June 24, 2002) Philippines (1972). Amorsolo is
 Cartoonist and social commentator known for his mastery of light and
through visual humor. Posthumously idealized depictions of Filipino life and
awarded National Artist for Visual Arts women.
in 2018. Notable Works:
Artworks: • Maiden in a Stream (1921) – GSIS collection
• Slice of Life • El Ciego (1928) – Central Bank of the
• Mang Ambo Philippines collection
• Kalabog en Bosyo • Dalagang Bukid (1936) – Club Filipino
• Over 500 cartoon characters and 20 collection
comic strips • The Mestiza (1943) – National Museum of
the Philippines
• Planting Rice (1946) – UCPB collection
Source: NCCA.gov.ph

2. José Tanig Joya (June 3, 1931 – May 11,

1995)
 A pioneering abstract artist and
National Artist for Visual Arts (2003).
He introduced abstract expressionism
to the Philippines.
Notable Works:
• Granadean Arabesque
• Space Transfiguration
• Jedda Arabia
Source: Geringer Art

3. Pacita Abad (October 5, 1946 – December

7, 2004)
 A visual artist known for vibrant,
colorful "trapunto" paintings —
quilted, beaded canvases. Her art
reflects social justice themes and
multicultural influences from over 60
countries she visited.
Notable Works:
• Flight to Freedom
• L.A. Liberty
• Filipina: A Racial Identity Crisis
Source: Wikipedia
4. Ang Kiukok (March 1, 1931 – May 9, 2005) 8. Agnes Arellano (born November 21, 1949)
 A National Artist for Visual Arts  A sculptor noted for her surreal and
(2001), known for his emotionally mythological installations that explore
charged and cubist-inspired paintings themes like feminism, rebirth, and
with themes of suffering and social spirituality.
unrest. Notable Works:
Notable Works: • Anima
• Fishermen • Angels of the Apocalypse
• Mother and Child • Time, Space, and the Eternal
• Crucifixion Source: Wikipedia
Source: NCCA.gov.ph
9. Roberto Chabet (March 29, 1937 – April
5. Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera (born April 30, 2013)
10, 1942)  Known as the Father of Philippine
 One of the Philippines' most Conceptual Art. He challenged
prominent contemporary artists, traditional art with avant-garde
declared National Artist in 2006. His installations and curatorial work.
art often focuses on Filipino identity Notable Works:
and social commentary. • Cargo and Decoy
Notable Works: • Shop 6
• Sabel series • China Collage
• Larawan series Source: Wikipedia
• Mother and Child
Source: NCCA.gov.ph 10. Napoleon Isabelo Veloso Abueva
(January 26, 1930 – February 16, 2018)
6. Kidlat Tahimik (Eric de Guia) (born October  The Father of Modern Philippine
3, 1942) Sculpture and youngest National
 Dubbed the Father of Philippine Artist awardee (1976). He innovated
Independent Cinema, and named using various media such as wood,
National Artist for Film (2018). His metal, and stone.
films often critique colonialism and Notable Works:
global capitalism. • The Transfiguration
Notable Works: • Kaganapan
• Perfumed Nightmare • Sandugo
• Turumba Source: NCCA.gov.ph
• Balikbayan #1
Source: NCCA.gov.ph

7. Eduardo Masferré (1909–1995)

 Known as the Father of Philippine
Photography, he documented
Cordilleran tribes through powerful
black-and-white photography.
Notable Works:
• People of the Philippine Cordillera
• Masferré Photographs 1934–1956
Source: Kahimyang.com