For Sale: Alvarado's Art Work "Mag-Iloy"

“Mag-Iloy”

Iconic Negrenese social realist painter Nunelucio Alvarado (1950) is regarded as one of the most prominent contemporary artists in the Philippines.  He has won numerous international critical acclaim for his powerful works that mostly portrayed the life and struggles of Negros Occidental’s  the working class.

Alvarado’s art is a panorama of Philippine life that ranges  from the decorative aspects of Negros life such as the colorful fruits and vegetables found in the market; or the simple family life that utilizes the bright prints and patterns under the Visayan sun; and on the darker side, the evils of  environmental, social and cultural degradation of which he is known for as a social realist.

Recognized for his unique and distinct style of bright-eyed squat and squared figures that employ strong vivid colors and dark lines, Alvarado frequently applies powerful psycho-sexual symbols with a touch of the surreal as he depicts the plight of sugarcane workers, fishermen and traders found in his native Negros Occidental. 

My Siblings, My Mother!

Growing up I didn't experience the tender loving care of a biological Mom. My Mother died when I was at toddler years. Based from the stories that my brothers relayed to me, I was only two years old when my Mother named Juanita Erenio Calderon was bitten by a cat that came from nowhere. Those old days’ people were not aware about the possible deadly rabies from Cat bite. As old day’s practices for animal bite, Mom just applied garlic in her wounded ankle and went to the doctor and had an Anti-Tetanus shot. After 5 months from the time she had bitten she acted weird and showed symptoms like malaise, headache, and fever. My family said she even had violent movements, uncontrolled excitement, depression and hydrophobia. From February 11 until February 15, 1982 she had hard time breathing and deeply catching her breath. She extremely suffered because of the virus attacked her brain.