A life-sized sculpture of folk-rock icon Heber Bartolome silently playing his guitar has recently been unveiled by his brother Jesse and his other friends and relatives at the Behn Cervantes The Roofdeck of the Erehwon Center for the Arts.
The sculpture is surrounded by the floor painting of artist Leeroy New. The image is by sculptor Jose “Al” Giroy, a protégé of National Artist Napoleon Abueva.
Al Giroy has done the two other life-sized sculptures at the Center’s top floor: those of theater pioneer Behn Cervantes that stands in welcome at the entrance to the entertainment venue; and National Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin who is depicted toasting his favorite bottle of beer.
Bartolome’s last public performance was at The Roofdeck last September 2021, as he started off Erehwon’s Filipino Music Legends Series with the rendering of his iconic and long-enduring song, “Tayo’y Mga Pinoy.”
In 2019, the artist staged his solo art exhibit at Erehwon, which was opened by National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera. Bartolome and his organization of musicians and composers known as MUSIKA, were very active members of the Erehwon Arts Council.