PAINTING alumnus Nemesio “Nemiranda” Miranda Jr. commemorated the quincentennial of the arrival of Spain and Christianity in the Philippines in his solo exhibit “NEMIRANDA: Present Day Visual Historian,” at the ManilART 2021 fair held from Oct. 20 to 24 at the SMX Convention Center in SM Aura Premiere in Taguig City.
“When I paint historical subjects, it is as if I put on my shoes as if I was part of that history,” Miranda told the Varsitarian. “I try to feel that I was part of that to give life and meaning to what I do.”
Accentuating the hues of the Philippine flag, the main highlight of the exhibit was “500 Years of Heroism,” a 5 x 8 in. mural showcasing both historical and modern-day heroes.
“[The artwork] depicts heroism [since] the discovery of the country, from Lapu-Lapu to Jose Rizal and to the present days heroes ━ our frontliners,” he said.
“Battle of Mactan” commemorates the victory of Lapu-Lapu against Portuguese explorer Magellan on April 27, 1521.
The exhibit also featured artworks revisiting significant events such as typhoons Ondoy and Yolanda, the eruptions of Taal and Mayon volcanoes, the war in Marawi, and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Referred to as the “father of imaginative figurism,” Nemiranda utilizes an art style that uses the imagination to illustrate human subjects and events without the use of references.
Miranda graduated from the College of Architecture and Fine Arts in 1970.
The solo exhibit displayed 30 artworks from the Nemiranda Arthouse.
ManilART is a project co-presented by the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) to feature talented Filipino artists from all over the country and highlight Filipino culture through the arts.
With the theme “Continuing Legacies,” ManilART 2021 showcased artworks from over 20 local galleries.
A 360-degree virtual walkthrough of the art fair can be seen here.
