Abdulmari Imao

            Abdulmari Imao was born on January 14, 1936, in Siasi, Philippines. He is a Filipino a sculptor, painter, photographer, ceramist, documentary filmmaker, cultural researcher, writer, and articulator of Philippine Muslim art and culture. Adbulmari Imao is the first Moro to become a National Artist. In addition, he is also one of the seven National Artists for the Arts, along with Napoleon V. Abueva, Fernando C. Amorsolo, Victorio C. Edades, Carlos V. Francisco, Vicente S. Manansala,  and Benedicto R. Cabrera. He was the first Asian recipient of a Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) fellowship grant to study in Europe. Upon his return to the Philippines, he taught Fine Arts at the University of the East. He also did several photo-journalistic and scholarly research work about the peoples of Mindanao.

            He was known for his famous works such as the indigenous ukkil, sarimanok and naga motifs. It has been popularized and instilled in the consciousness of the Filipino nation and other peoples as original Filipino creations. By that, he was also honoured as a National Artist for Sculpture in 2006 and his career is indeed successful. Image has presented works widely in the Philippines and has crafted numerous public commissions in regions including San Fernando, Manila, and Sulu. Indeed, his contribution to the arts is immeasurable.

            With it come to his art style, he draws from the cultural and artistic heritage of his native Philippines. He also makes use of Indigenous Filipino iconography in his work, incorporating such traditional motifs.


Sarimanok series



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