‘Untitled (Fish)’ by Ang Kiukok, 1998, estimated P1,500,000 to P2,200,000. Photographs courtesy of salcedo auctions
LIFE

Salcedo Auctions’ 24

The auction also features remarkable ethnographic lots, such as a rare early 20th-century dancing bulul from the Kinagan area and a mid-19th-century standing bulul crafted from narra wood. These works highlight the exceptional craftsmanship of Filipino tribal art.

Luis Espiritu

Salcedo Auctions’ year-end sale, Under the Tree: The Wishlist, presents over 250 lots, featuring a stellar lineup of works by National Artists such as Ang Kiukok and Jose Joya, alongside celebrated modern and contemporary masters like Mauro Malang Santos, Fernando Zobel and Lao Lianben. This auction offers not only iconic artworks but also an exceptional selection of rare colonial Philippine hardwood furniture, ecclesiastical pieces and tribal ethnographic art.

‘A Bulacan master kilo altar table with unusual acanthus leaf motif,’ c. late 18th century, estimated P1,500,000 to P2,000,000.
‘A fine standing bulul,’ Mid-19th century, estimated P240,000 to P350,000.
‘A lustrous silver processional cross in frame,’ 19th century, estimated P300,000 to P400,000.

In celebration of the DAILY TRIBUNE’S 24th anniversary, the country’s premier auction house was invited to present 24 highlights from its upcoming sale, reaffirming the premier auction house’s position as the arbiter and barometer of the Philippine art market.

Among the standout lots is Modula #1 by Arturo Luz, a striking minimalist sculpture that epitomizes the intersection of geometry and balance, a testament to his lasting influence on Philippine art. Luz’s Cities of the Past No. 1 also makes an appearance, offering a minimalist cityscape defined by clean lines and a restrained palette, reflecting Luz’s “less-is-more” philosophy influenced by Japanese shibui and Bauhaus design principles.

‘A pair of Rococo silver ramilletes with center cartouche,’ c. mid-19th century, estimated P200,000 to P260,000.
‘A rare dancing bulul,’ early 20th century, estimated P240,000 to P300,000.
‘A splendid de tallado ivory head, hands and cherubs ‘Nuestra Señora del Rosario’’ figure, c. early 19th century, estimated P120,000 to P160,000.

Romeo Tabuena’s Market Scene and Mauro “Malang” Santos’ vibrant Opus both celebrate Filipino daily life through dynamic compositions and bold visual styles. Tabuena blends figuration and abstraction with striking color contrasts and simplified forms, while Malang’s cubist-inspired work depicts women vendors with intricate patterns and playful hues against a rich red background.In contrast, Onib Olmedo’s black and white ink wash pieces, with their distorted figures and emotional tonalities, evoke profound reflections on the human condition, showcasing his mastery in conveying vulnerability and strength through subtle distortions.

Jose Joya is represented by two extraordinary works: May Festival, with its dynamic reds and exuberant energy; and Endaya, a contemplative exploration of textures and nature. Proceeds from May Festival will benefit the Ma. Nora D. Castro Fund, supporting dialysis and stroke patients. Both works highlight Joya’s versatility and fluid approach to abstraction.

‘A very rare ‘del Fuego’ silver papal tiara,’ c. mid-19th century, estimated P150,000 to P200,000.
‘Cities of the Past No. 1’ by Arturo Luz, 2010, estimated P1,800,000 to P2,200,000.
‘Endaya’ by José Joya, 1984, estimated P1,300,000 to P1,500,000.

Ang Kiukok’s Untitled (Still Life) and Untitled (Fish) provide a compelling dialogue between vitality and mortality. In Untitled (Still Life), bold brushstrokes and vivid colors infuse fruit with energy, while Untitled (Fish) uses striking red accents and blue tones to explore the fragility of life. Kiukok’s Rosary Queen captures Marian devotion through angular forms and rich colors, focusing on emotional resonance and religious symbolism.

Lao Lianben’s Man and Light and Statement both invite meditation and reflection on the relationship between man and the elements of the natural world. Man and Light reflects Lao’s minimalist style, with blurred forms and subtle textures evoking themes of spirituality and impermanence. Statement, a vertical installation combining stones and shells, explores the interplay of assorted natural pieces, emphasizing the dynamic tension between permanence and transience. Together, these works embody Lao’s contemplative approach to art, encouraging introspection. On the other hand, Rodel Tapaya’s The Tree of Make Believe blends Filipino mythology and contemporary themes, using a vibrant color palette and surreal landscapes to explore the intersection of myth and modern life.

‘Marketplace’ by Romeo Tabuena, 1985, estimated P600,000 to P700,000.
‘Marketplace’ by Romeo Tabuena, 1985, estimated P600,000 to P700,000.
‘May Festival’ by José Joya, 1993, estimated P1,300,000 to P1,500,000.

Fernando Zóbel’s Orilla 53 from 1981 exemplifies his refined minimalist style, with soft gradients and subtle washes of color that evoke the transient nature of perception. Justin Nuyda’s Mindscape Search: Stairway combines dynamic brushstrokes and vivid hues to explore themes of spirituality and mortality, blending modern abstraction with a deeply introspective exploration of the subconscious. Romulo Olazo’s Untitled #97 from 1985 is a mixed-media work on canvas that showcases his signature approach to abstract art, blending organic and geometric forms with ethereal layers of color and texture. The piece exemplifies his mastery of depth and transparency, using earthy tones contrasted with white to create a dynamic rhythm and visual harmony.

‘Mindscape Search: Stairway’ by Justin Nuyda, 2005, estimated P6,000,000 to P7,000,000.
‘Orilla 53’ by Fernando Zóbel, 1981, estimated P8,500,000 to P9,000,000.
‘Rosary Queen’ by Ang Kiukok, 1998, estimated P5,000,000 to P6,000,000.

The auction also features remarkable ethnographic lots, such as a rare early 20th-century dancing bulul from the Kinagan area and a mid-19th-century standing bulul crafted from narra wood. These works highlight the exceptional craftsmanship of Filipino tribal art. A Carlos Trece-designed chair set by Ah Tay, with its Neoclassical and Rococo influences, and a masterful Bulacan kilo altar table, with its finely carved acanthus leaf motif, are exceptional examples of Philippine colonial-era furniture craftsmanship.

‘The Tree of Make Believe’ by Rodel Tapaya, 2012, estimated P2,000,000 to P4,000,000.
‘Untitled #97’ by Romulo Olazo, 1985, estimated P6,000,000 to P7,000,000.
‘Untitled (Fruits)’ by Ang Kiukok, 1998, estimated P2,000,000 to P3,000,000.

Ecclesiastical pieces such as a 19th-century lustrous silver processional cross in frame, a rare “del Fuego” silver papal tiara, and pair of Rococo silver ramilletes with center cartouche showcase exquisite craftsmanship in religious art, while a church altar frontal from an Augustinian church in Pampanga offers intricate carvings associated with Saint Augustine, adding a spiritual dimension to its artistic beauty.

These 24 exceptional works reflect Salcedo Auctions’ ongoing dedication to presenting unparalleled art and craftsmanship and Daily Tribune’s strong advocacy for the best and the finest in Philippine art and design — each piece rich in cultural and historical significance.