Photographer EJ Villanueva and I teamed up to do the art history remake challenge back in August and I was determined to highlight a Filipina artist. Along with this project, I’d also like to share some information on Anita Magsaysay-Ho in honor of Filipino American History Month (FAHM):
Anita Magsaysay-Ho (1914-2012) was known for her social realist and post-cubist work depicting Filipino life and culture through scenes of women engaged in labor. Her early works, such as “Lady with Guitar” (1950), were highly influenced by famous classical painters in the Philippines such as Fernando Amorsolo and Fabian de la Rosa but later developed her own modernist style. Magsaysay-Ho was the only woman invited to join the Filipino artist group the Thirteen Moderns and was well recognized as one of the six most influential painters of Filipino history. Her work itself expresses and celebrates the strength of women.
I had the honor to see her work at the Asian Art museum in SF back in 2017 during their exhibit highlighting Philippine Art. How does she relate to FAHM? Magsaysay-Ho paved the way for many Pinay artists and continues to inspire me today.
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Amanda Pascual is an artist from Vallejo, CA who utilizes various painting and drawing techniques in her illustrations. Pascual is inspired by the comfort and memories of her childhood homes, Filipino weaving and embroidery styles, and nature. She has exhibited her work at Salt Stained: Home (Nov 2018 - Aug 2019), an exhibition at San Jose City Hall curated by Chopsticks Alley, and ARISE: Sacramento (Sept 2019) hosted by RAW Artists in Sacramento.