Painter Alcuaz, 78

MANILA, Philippines -  Renowned painter Federico Aguilar Alcuaz passed away yesterday morning. He was 78.

The cause of death was not immediately disclosed.

Alcuaz was known for his works in modern abstract, sculpture, and mixed media.

He was conferred the title of National Artist for Visual Arts, Painting, Sculpture and Mixed Media in 2009 by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The Supreme Court, however, issued a status quo order on Aug. 25, 2009 blocking the conferment of the National Artist award on seven nominees including Alcuaz pending an investigation of protests. 

Information on his website showed that Alcuaz was born on June 6, 1932 in Manila, the sixth of 11 children.                    

He studied Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines and attended the classes of National Artist Fernando Amorsolo (painting), National Artist Guillermo Tolentino (sculpture), and other pillars of Philippine art, such as Toribio Herrera, Ireneo Miranda and Constancio Bernardo. 

Alcuaz’s works are included in the collection of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Barcelona, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Madrid, the Gulvenkian Foundation Museum of London, the Museum of Modern Art of Warsaw, the Museum of Modern Art of Krakow, Philips Cultural Museum of the Netherlands, among others. 

In his 55-year career in the arts, Alcuaz had exhibited in leading galleries in the Philippines, Spain, Portugal, Poland, the United States and Germany.