Fake art is back

Malang is dead serious about putting a stop to the proliferation of fake paintings.

"Due to the higher prices of the masters’ paintings, some resort to copying them (and passing them off authentic)," Malang says. "And then some galleries encourage them (to produce fakes)."

A fake "Malang" is in the artist’s possession, and he has consulted lawyers about taking legal action. Malang even gave Victor Ycasiano, the collector who brought the disputed work for authentication, an authentic "Malang."

Ycasiano says he has learned his lesson, and now knows where to buy authentic Malangs. Ycasiano, a basketball coach who began collecting art late last year, recalls that it’s an experience he could never forget, upon finding out someone sold him a fake painting. "The victims are usually new collectors like me," he says.

"Buy only in legitimate galleries, demand authentication papers, and coordinate with artists’ group like the AAP or the Saturday Group." Ycasiano advises prospective art buyers.

While he’ll cooperate to help prevent such fake art from circulating again, Malang says that he can only advise art patrons to buy from living contemporary artists since the National Museum does not even have the proper equipment to determine authenticity, especially when dealing with masters’ works.

The artist says he’s already asked museums to put up independent authentication bodies, but nothing concrete has been done yet. "It also puts us in a difficult situation," says Malang, on the effect of fake art entering the market. "With a ‘Kiukok’ or a ‘Malang,’ it’s even harder to detect because we (and the forgers) use the same materials"

In the disputed work, however, besides the more polished mother-and-child figure, Malang also knew it was a fake because the paper used was different from what he’d normally use, it was done in pencil, and there were no dates and other details the artist would normally indicate at the back of the work to prove authorship.

Earlier this year, an exhibit held at the UST’s Beato Angelico Gallery drew controversy when a work supposedly to honor the legacy of Ang Kiukok was deemed as fake by no less than Ang Kiukok’s wife, Mary, and Vita Sarenas, a gallery owner and a close friend of the late National Artist who also helps authenticates his works.