Amorsolo-inspired collection in Cebu
One of the most prolific and recognized artists in the history of painting in the Philippines is Fernando Amorsolo y Cueto. He was a portraitist and painter of rural Philippine landscapes that often depict the traditional culture, customs and celebrations of the Filipino community.
Rustan’s recently launched a range of home merchandize, gifts and souvenirs that are inspired by Amorsolo’s craftsmanship.
The limited-edition pieces showcase prints of Amorsolo’s works “Harvesting” (1951), “Under the Mango Tree” (1930) and “Planting Rice” (1954), on items such as shirts, 13-inch plates, notepads, and tote bags among others.
Gifts and souvenir items.
Sylvia Amorsolo-Lazo, the daughter of the National Artist for Painting and president of the Fernando C. Amorsolo Art Foundation, graced the event with her son, Fernando Lazo and Rustan’s patrons, and art enthusiasts.
In her brief remarks, Lazo expressed her elation in seeing her father’s works being printed for others to use, enjoy, study and appreciate how he executed and shared his God-given gift of being a genius.
“Once you get possession of one of these prints, you’ll have repeated glimpses of an Amorsolo work of art,” Lazo said. “All these images remind us of the simple, clean and beautiful Philippines during his era.”
Rustan’s Cebu’s Antoinette Chavez, Yza Sarmiento, Rhex Villahermosa.
Cecil Hermoso, Rustan’s division manager for home merchandising, said the selection aims to present the Filipino customs and traditions as portrayed by Amorsolo’s landscape paintings.
The two-volume coffee-table book, Amorsolo: Love & Passion, is also included in the home collection. The set is co-authored by Lazo and details the subjects of Amorsolo’s portrait and landscape paintings.
The Amorsolo collection is part of Rustan’s For the Arts campaign, a movement to patronize Philippine art and celebrate local artists. It is the third length of the exhibition which previously featured Filipino artists, Al Perez and Paulina Luz- Sotto.
Rustan’s Cebu home and children’s department store operations assistant manager Pinky Gabutan and store operations manager Lorna Alvarez.
Fernando Amorsolo was bestowed the title “Grand Old Man of Philippine Art” in 1969 and posthumously awarded the title of National Artist in 1972.
In Cebu, the exclusive “Amorsolo: Love and Passion” home merchandise is available at the third-floor home department of Rustan’s, Ayala Center Cebu.
