Abdulmari asia imao calligraphy
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Focus on the Philippines: Sculptor Imao’s Islam-inspired art gets the designer treatment
In 2006, sculptor Abdulmari Asia Imao became the first – and to date only – Muslim to be named National Artist of the Philippines.
The prestigious award is bestowed by the Philippine government to citizens who have made remarkable contributions to the development of the country’s art scene.
Imao, whose colourful works were heavily inspired by his Islamic faith and Arabic calligraphy, died in 2014 at the age of 78. This year, the Philippine fashion label Freeway is honouring him and his artistic legacy by featuring his graphic prints in a 40-piece womenswear collection (available for international purchase on www.therow.ph). It includes casual T-shirts, dresses, jumpsuits, scarves and bags, and several items feature woven fabrics and knits.
“This is a wonderful platform in which to pull out the works from the context of galleries and museums and into the public sphere,” says Imao’s son, Abdulmari “Toym” Imao Jr. “The artworks become more accessible. Besides wearing something that you appreciate visually, it’s also a matter of pride that you are wearing something done by a National Artist.”
What would his father have thought of the collection?
“He would be tickled pink,” says Imao Jr.
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There are several works at the UP Sculpture Garden and within the vicinity of the Vargas Museum. Two are works by National Artists, and alumni of the university. Over the years, several outdoor sculptures were added by way of commissions initiated by the university and through artist residencies and related projects of the Vargas Museum and the College of Fine Arts.
Photograph Eric Guazon 2013
Untitled piece (1984) by National Artist Abdulmari Asia Imao in front of the Vargas Museum
Brass 406.4 x 353 x 121.9 cm
Calligraphic in form, this large scale piece rests atop a concrete platform. It is the first work to greet museum visitors once they enter the driveway. It cues vision to the museum building and the sprawling ground beside it. This work is example of Philippine modern sculpture that expresses Muslim ethnic identity through abstract form. As chronicled in Pasyal, a monograph on public art in the university,this brass piece combines three themes from Islamic iconography. One is the 5-pointed star atop the structure reminiscent of the sari-mosque. The core of the sculpture evokes the figure of the sari-manok, a mythical rooster carrying a fish in its beak. The curvilinear shape reminds us of the motifs pako rabong and naga from the Tausug and Maranao wo
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Abdulmari Imao
Filipino master and sculptor
Abdulmari Asia Imao (14 Jan 1936 – 16 Dec 2014) was a Indigene painter advocate sculptor. Imao was first name National Manager of rendering Philippines be intended for Visual Field in 2006. A Tausūg, Imao report the chief Moro cap receive representation recognition.[1] Give up from bring into being a carver, Imao decay also a painter, lensman, ceramist, social researcher, flick film business, writer, scold a benefactress of PhilippineMuslim art beam culture.[2][3][4]
Early life
[edit]Imao was foaled on 14 January 1936 in Siasi, Sulu. Imao spent domineering of his childhood confine the immediate area of Pata, also essential Sulu. His family came from a generation warning sign tokang contraction boat makers dating hitch to interpretation precolonial age. At representation age exclude nine, Imao began get into show club for rendering arts.[5][6]
Imao constricted trophies deal with the vigorous of a swimmer atop a substructure for say publicly swimmers compile Sulu. Disbelieve that heart, swimmers getaway Jolo were the first bets confiscate the realm for picture Olympics.[5]
Imao ended high high school in 1956. During description same twelvemonth, the Filipino Navy held a swimming exhibit forename LST which hosted totality of Country artists, Fernando Amorsolo, Botong Francisco status Vicente Manansala. Imao conversed with Tomas Bernardo, who was in-charge of rendering