National Artist

• Artist


  Prioritize self-expression and exploration of ideas, works may not have a utilitarian function
• Artisan


  Focus on craftsmanship and the creation of functional or decorative items with a strong emphasis on skill and technique
• The distinction between an artist and an artisan lies in their creative intent and purpose of work
• National Artist of the Philippines

  Highest national recognition to those who contributed to the development of Philippine Arts
• The National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Cultural Center of the Philippines administer this award
• Presidential Proclamation No. 1001 established the National Artists of the Philippines


  1972
• First National Artists for Visual Arts, Architect and Fashion Design

  • Fernando Amorsolo
  • Carlos "Batong" Francisco
  • Guillermo E. Tolentino
  • Napoleon V. Abueva
  • Victorio C. Edades
  • Vicente Manansala
  • Hernando R. Ocampo
  • Cesar Legazpi
  • Arturo Luz
  • J. Elizalde Navarro
  • Benedicto Cabrera (BenCab)
  • Abdulmari Asia Imao
  • Federico Aguilar Alcuaz
  • Francisco Coching
  • Jose T. Joya
• Fernando Amorsolo


  • First National Artist in the country, known for his backlighting technique in painting, making his creations bright and cheerful
• Carlos "Botong" Francisco

  • Revived the art of mural, considered the most distinguished mural painter, known for historical events as subject matter
• Francisco's murals


  • Blood Compact
  • First Mass at Limasawa
  • Bayanihan
  • The Invasion of Lima hong
• Guillermo E. Tolentino


  • Honored as National Artist for Sculpture in 1973, known for designing the seal of the Republic of the Philippines and the gold and bronze medals for Ramon Magsaysay Award
• Tolentino's sculptures


  • Bonifacio Monument
  • UP Oblation
• Napoleon V. Abueva


  • Father of Modern Philippine Sculpture, known for creating "bonyant sculpture" to be viewed from the surface of a pool
• Abueva's sculptures


  • Nine Muses of Arts
• Victorio C. Edades


  • Father of Modern Philippine Painting, uses dark somber colors and focuses on factory workers, laborers, or simple townspeople, introduced a degree program offering subjects in foreign language
• Edades' paintings


  • The Sketch
• Vicente Manansala


  • Paintings depicting realistic themes using an abstract or cubist style, believed that the beauty of art is in the process of the act of making
• Manansala's paintings


  • A Cluster of Nipa Huts
  • Madonna of the Slums
  • Market Vendors
• Hernando R. Ocampo


  • Abstract paintings, featured shapes bounded with curved lines, used bold colors
• Ocampo's paintings


  • Genesis
  • Slum Dwellers
  • Ang Balon
• Ocampo's "Genesis" was used as a basis of the design of the curtain of the Cultural Center of the Philippines Main Theater
• Cesar Legazpi


  • Utilized refining cubism, a style involving breaking parts into geometric shapes in his paintings
• Legazpi's paintings


  • Miners
• Arturo Luz


  • Set up the Luz Gallery, which contributed to the professionalism of the art gallery as an institution
• Luz's works


  • A Black and White Cube in Pasig
• J. Elizalde Navarro


  • Sculpture of stainless steel and hardwood masks reflecting the human and the animal, abstract paintings in oil and watercolor, and assemblages
• Navarro's works


  • This Week of the Manila Chronicle
  • Lydia Arguilla's The Face of the Awakening God
  • Juan Tamad
  • Ang Kinok
• Benedicto Cabrera (BenCab)


  • Best-selling painter of his generation of Filipino artists, known for his sketches of a scavenger named "Sabel", a symbol of dislocation, despair, and isolation - the personification of human dignity threatened by life's circumstances
• BenCab's paintings


  • Tres Marias
• Abdulmari Asia Imao


  • Popularized ukil, Sarimanok, and naga motifs in the country, created sculptures and monuments of Muslim and regional legends and heroes
• Imao's works


  • Sarimanok, 2012
• Federico Aguilar Alcuaz


  • Oil and acrylic paintings, and sketches in ink, pencil, and watercolor
• Alcuaz's works


  • From the Window
• Francisco Coching


  • Dean of Filipino Illustrators, known for his work on comics and illustrations, influenced cartoonists such as Larry Alcala and Ben Infante
• Coching's works


  • Indio (Comics)
• Jose T. Joya


  • Pioneering abstract expressionism, represented the Philippines in the 1964 Venice Biennale
• Joya's paintings


  • Granadean Arabesque (1958)
  • Karate
• Pablo S. Antonio


  • Pioneer in Modern Philippine Architecture, prominent feature of his design is the use of natural light and cross ventilation
• Antonio's works


  • Far Eastern University Administration & Science Buildings
  • Manila Polo Club
• Leandro V. Locsin


  • Designs of the Palace of the Sultan in Brunei, Istana Nurul Iman, and the five buildings of CCP Complex, Folk Arts Theater, Philippine International Convention Center, Philcite, The Westin Hotel (Sofitel), his designs usually feature themes of floating volume and a mix of both Eastern and Western aesthetics