THE PHILIPPINES, AUGUST 30, 2012 – Renowned Chilean artist Claudio Bravo made his “most lucid paintings” during his stay in Manila in 1968. Now, we have the chance to see how Bravo saw the city back then as the Embassy of Chile and Energy Development Corporation (EDC) present Claudio Bravo: Sojourn in Manila, a landmark exhibit that opens on September 18 at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila.
Oscar M. Lopez, chairman emeritus of EDC says, “In those portraits, in the glamour and spirit of the personalities he depicted, one cannot but sense the optimism, confidence, vitality and sense of pride, but also the innocence, that characterized the Philippines, and the Manila, of the 1960s.”
This would be the last body of portraits Bravo would ever produce before being catapulted into the international contemporary art scene for the hyperrealist still lifes that would eventually define his career.
Bravo was born in Valparaiso, Chile in 1936 and passed away last year in Taroudant, Morocco. He took art lessons with Miguel Venegas Cifuentes, dancing with the Compania de Ballet de Chile, and acting at the Teatro Ensayo.
His ultimate vocation, however, is painting. At 17 he held his first solo exhibition. He then moved to the southern city of Conception and quickly gained several portrait commissions. His earnings would allow him to move to Madrid in 1961, where he perfected his craft and gained recognition for his technical virtuosity and hyperrealistic style. It was not long before he became a sought after portraitist amongst social luminaries.
As geothermal energy producer EDC expands its offices to Chile for what it hopes will be a long and fruitful collaboration, the exhibit commemorates the late artist on the 202nd anniversary of the Independence of Chile. His Excellency Ambassador Roberto Mayorga of the Embassy of Chile says, “We are totally convinced that –along with diplomatic, political and economic relationships—cultural links are fundamental to build bridges of understanding and unity among nations” The inauguration of the exhibit is timed to coincide with the National Day celebration of Chile.
Claudio Bravo: Sojourn in Manila will run until October 20, 2012, 9.00am to 6.00pm, Monday to Saturday. The exhibit will be accompanied by weekly activities on Saturdays, including a curator’s talk, portraiture lecture and drawing session. For info, contact the Metropolitan Museum of Manila at +632-708-7829 or visit www.metmuseum.ph.
