THOMASIAN artist Nemesio “Nemiranda” Miranda Jr., also known as the “father of imaginative figurism,” has launched a book showcasing the artworks he has exhibited over the past 50 years at the Century City Mall in Makati.
Titled “Nemiranda: The Art Philosophy of Imaginative Figurism,” the book contains early and recent paintings and sculptures in his trademark style.
The imaginative figurism style typically uses imagination to illustrate human subjects and events without using references except for the artist’s memory.
“It has been more than 50 years of my art history…It’s every artist’s dream to have a book,” Miranda told the Varsitarian during the launch on Aug. 17.
“This is the only thing that we will leave behind because we will all be gone after some time. The book will be the memory, the legacy of the whole collection of my artwork. When it is printed in the book, it becomes immortal already,” he said.
The painting alumnus has mounted over 100 exhibitions worldwide.
The book was authored by Miranda’s cousin Geraldine Hernandez-Martens, who is based in the Netherlands where it was printed.
Coinciding with his book launch was his solo exhibition “50 Years of Dedication of Honoring Filipino Workers,” which spotlighted Filipino rural folk, farmers and fishermen, workers, and women.
The centerpiece of his exhibition was his 2021 48×36-in. acrylic on canvas “OFW Series (Construction Workers),” featuring the labor of blue-collar Filipino workers abroad.
“The subject of my paintings here is focused on Filipino rural folk, farmers and fishermen, and Filipino workers,” he said.
“It also focuses on women, especially the family, the mother and child, because this is the universal subject that anyone can relate to–being a mother, being a daughter, being a son. So, it all speaks of Filipino life,” he added.
The exhibition ran until Aug. 31, 2024. Divine P. Delos Reyes
