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Artists >>
Balagtas, Angelito
"A World Expressed in Planes, Cubes, and Points"
Discovering the passion for art came early in Lito
Balagtas' childhood. He'd rather spend hours sketching "Kalabog & Bosyo"
characters (from the cartoonist Larry Alcala), than doing his homework. After
graduating in high school, he immediately joined the advertising industry by
designing billboard ad layouts. Formal college education had to wait, until he
got a scholarship in the first and one of the biggest universities in Manila
in 1968 (University of Santo Tomas). After giving his school multiple
recognitions by winning inter-collegiate art competitions, he finally
graduated in 1975. A challenging feat for someone who supported a wife and 3
kids while studying in college.
Balagtas started breaking ground in the art scene as
soon as he started accepting commissioned paintings in his home studio in the
town of Angono, Rizal. Coming off from the same town as Carlos "Botong"
Francisco (National Artist) did, it isn't a surprise to see his idol's
influence in some of Balagtas' Mother and Child and Harvest pieces. Balagtas'
arts depict everyday life scenes, expressions, and emotions of common people
as he observed them in his hometown and the countryside.
In the years that followed, Balagtas' artworks
evolved into a world expressed in planes, cubes, and points especially when he
met the Master of Philippine Cubism, Vicente Manansala. After seeing Balagtas'
works in a gallery in Manila, Manansala was impressed by the workmanship he
saw in Lito's paintings that he told the gallery owner to contact Balagtas for
a meeting. Proclaimed a National Artist in 1981 (posthumous), Manansala met
Balagtas personally and asked Lito to assist him in preparing a mural for the
United Coconut Planters Bank main office in Makati, Philippines. Joined by 4
other Manansala followers: Edgar Doctor, Ephraim Samson, Romulo Olazo, and Gig
de Pio; they finished the mural in almost 2 months under the tutelage of their
Master.
The name Balagtas (made famous by a Filipino poet)
had long been a household name in the literary arena even before Lito Balagtas
was born. But in his own right, Lito was able to carry on the name's reputable
status by being a prominent figure in the Philippine Art scene. An achievement
based on a foundation of quality and consistency, Balagtas' artworks will
continue to be valued as a key "investment art" in the years to come.
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Mah-Jongg / Opium Suite - Erte
Only $13,500.00
On SALE for only $6,750.00
Beauty and the Beast - Erte
Only $15,200.00
On SALE for only $6,400.00
East Meets West - Otsuka
Only $3,000.00
On SALE for only $1,750.00
Spider Web - Erte
Only $3,800.00
On SALE for only $1,900.00
Enchanted Melody - Erte
Only $6,250.00
The Chaste Susanna - Erte
Only $8,500.00
On SALE for only $2,800.00
Moonlight - Erte
Only $6,000.00
On SALE for only $2,500.00
Angel - Erte
Only $8,000.00
On SALE for only $4,000.00
Love & Passion Suite - Erte
Only $24,500.00
On SALE for only $12,250.00
Statue of Liberty Suite - Erte
Only $18,000.00
On SALE for only $6,000.00
Compact Vanities - Erte
Only $4,750.00
On SALE for only $2,375.00
Salome - Erte
Only $8,200.00
On SALE for only $2,000.00
Winter's Arrival - Erte
Only $5,750.00
On SALE for only $2,875.00
Rigoletto- Erte
Only $13,500.00
On SALE for only $4,000.00
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