AS a tribute to the heroes of the country, Juanito Torres completed a 67” x 91” work of art presented in time as the nation celebrated the annual National Heroes Day on August 28. The artwork is titled La Solidaridad.
Coinciding with the spirit of National Heroes Day, the artwork paints a gathering of our prominent figures in one frame depicting patriotism and love of country. They are Dr. Jose Rizal, Marcelo. H. del Pilar, Mariano Ponce, Jose Maria Panganiban, Graciano Lopez Jaena, Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo, Juan Luna, and Antonio Luna.
The artwork is among the pieces in The Magnificent September Auction 2023 of Leon Gallery this coming September 9, celebrating the finest Filipino artists, and includes works by those who have paid homage to our national hero through their artworks.
Paying tribute to the noble soldiers in Philippine history is what Torres has also completed his masterful work Generals of the Philippine Revolution. In this piece, Torres paints key figures such as Andres Bonifacio, Antonio Luna, Emilio Jacinto, Emilio Aguinaldo, Macario Sakay, Miguel Malvar, and Gregorio del Pilar, among others. It is a celebration of allegiance and nationalism with a testament to the value of independence.
Contemporary artist Juanito Torres attended the Philippine High School for the Arts in Makiling in Los Banos, Laguna, where he was awarded for Outstanding Visual Arts in 1994. He took further studies at the University of the Philippines’ College of Fine Arts in Diliman, Quezon City.
The late art critic Alice Guillermo described him as one of the leading contemporary artists of his time, joining the ranks of Elmer Borlongan, Mark Justiniani, and Neil Doloricon, among others.
Torres was a finalist at the Metrobank Foundation National Painting Competition in 2005 and was a fellow and designated artist for CANVAS Romeo Forbes Children’s Literature Initiative from 2009 to 2010.
His works are part of the permanent collections of major museums in the country, such as the Museum of the Katipunan in San Juan City, Miguel Malvar Museum in Batangas, Pinto Museum in Antipolo City, and Luna Museum in Ilocos Sur, and the National Historical Commission among others.
Juanito Torres’ portfolio made the seminal artwork exhibit Icons and Superheroes. Among his other works are the recently sold monumental work The Grand Ball and the auctioned piece Parade of Heroes.
Juanito Torres is represented by Galerie Joaquin. For more information, email info@galeriejoaquin.com.
