Two pioneers of Philippine modern art take the spotlight in an outstanding show at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, The Material Inspirations: Anita Magsaysay-Ho and Nena Saguil Exhibition.
The two prominent Filipina artists, who were born the same year, 1914, were classmates at the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts, and later became pioneers of modern art in the Philippines.
The exhibition features works that highlight the particular techniques each artist mastered, ultimately defining their artistic identities. Magsaysay-Ho became renowned for her use of egg tempera, while Saguil was known for her distinctive pen-and-ink style.
President of The Metropolitan Museum of Manila Tina Colayco says, “We would like to look back, with admiration, at their legacy and give tribute once again to Anita Magsaysay-Ho and Nena Saguil as we see them up close with works done in two particular mediums, which are egg tempera and pen and ink.”
Curated by Patrick Flores, this exhibition honors these two influential women, who broke barriers in the male-dominated Philippine art scene of the mid-20th century. “Here, the effort focuses on the material inspirations of the artists: the material of egg tempera and pen and ink and the inspirations of their work that matter in both social and cultural life. Let this be the nucleus or germ or seed of a more extensive and decisive tribute to the art of Anita and Nena that further honors their generous achievement and original imagination,” says Flores.
Among the attendees at the exhibition opening ceremony were the late artists’ family and friends, including Magsaysay-Ho’s daughter, Doris Magsaysay-Ho, grandson Jesse Maxwell and his wife Jessica, and Saguil’s nephew, Ben Saguil.
Present as well were chairman of the Board of Trustees of The M Museum Butch Campos and his wife Ollie; Trustees Manny Miñana and Fe Rodriguez, Ayala Foundation, Inc.’s Fernando Zobel and his wife Kit, executive director of the Lopez Museum Cedie Lopez-Vargas, Isabel Wilson, Cara Wilson, Silvana and Ramon Diaz, together with friends and supporters of The M.