From child prodigy to one of the revered Abstract artists in the country and the precursor of contemporary Aesthetic Syncretism, Roy Veneracion has a certain flair that is quite like no other. He has a passion for Syncretism, an art form that makes use of 2 opposing elements to effectively create a unified artwork. Veneracion’s paintings encourage viewers to ponder on the masterpiece they are seeing.
As a child, he would often visit a painter’s shop on his way home from school. However, it was Roy’s maternal uncle who paved the way for the young Veneracion to learn more about the Art that he was clearly talented in. His uncle would teach Roy and his older brother some lessons on anatomy, proportion, and animal drawings among other things, to help the boys hone their blossoming skills even further.
Incidentally, my wife who is a fan of all things Greek mythology, is amazed how Roy Veneracion incorporates Greek and Filipino elements together; similar to what Veneracion did with his Perseus and the Igorots artwork.
Learn more about Roy Veneracion and his works in our Artist Spotlight feature today. You can also see more of his available artworks here.
How did you teach yourself?
I was an artist as far back as I can remember, modesty aside, I was a child prodigy and I don’t remember doing children’s and had always been quite advanced in figure drawing and compositions, that I was always the resident artist in class in elementary school.
What was your first exhibit like?
My first one man show was held at the Miladay Art Center in Makati,the gallery was managed by by painter Lino Severino and owned by jeweler Mila Dayrit and Mrs Ponce Enrile. It was the hub of artistic activity in Makati during that time. It was 1974, Martial Law had just been declared, and it was well attended.
Mrs. Enrile was the guest of honor, and I sold quite a lot. The paintings were mostly abstract, some were huge 8’x8’ft combining oil and acrylics. The technique involved liquifying oil paint with oil and turpentine and pouring it over puddles of water to achieve a unique effect of water and oil resistent rainbow chromatics over prepared textural base, other pieces were textured with tiny pebbles and others already featured figurative elements hinting toward early syncretism.
What are you currently working on?
Currently, I’m still engrossed with Syncretism (a fusion of Abstract and Figuraitive polarities in aesthetics) and also Concept combined with Expression–using found objects and created or painted objects, or else the Installation format that contains paintings on canvas integrated within the environment).
What is your process like?
While making Art, I cannot imagine how an artist can avoid contemplating God’s Creation, and delving deeper into the meaning of existence itself and its purpose.
What is your favorite piece you’ve created?
I have many favorites among my art works. But what critics and aficionados might consider significant are the historical painting owned by the National Museum titled: “Ika-13 Pangitain ni Juan” and my latest major large scale Abstract titled: “the Collector”.
mixed media 5’ x 4’ ft.
What is your favorite piece by another artist?
My favorite by another artist include the “Spoliarium” by Juan Luna and “Guernica” by Picasso.
Why do you work in the medium that you do?
My favored medium is acrylic because of its versatility and oil for its color richness and volume.
In collection of ABS-CBN
What is your favorite place to create in?
Whenever the weather permits my favored place to create is outdoors in a shade, where the light is best for painting.
