Guillermo Tolentino, National Artist

Guillermo Estrella Tolentino

A conservative who belonged to the old school, Guillermo Estrella Tolentino was named National Artist in Sculpture in 1973. More into clay modeling, he was a product of Philippine art’s Revival period, and studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Rome. In 1925, upon returning to the Philippines from Europe, he joined the University of the Philippines School of Fine Arts as a professor. He became its fourth director from 1952 to 1955. There he was mentor to sculptors like National Artist Napoleon V. Abueva.

In 1935, he was commissioned to create the Oblation, which became a symbol of freedom, for the UP. Among his other works are the bronze figure of President Quezon at Quezon Memorial, busts of Jose Rizal at UP and UE, the marble statue of Ramon Magsaysay at the GSIS Building, and granolithics of heroic statues representing education, medicine, forestry, veterinary science, fine arts and music at UP. He also designed the seal of the Republic of the Philippines and the gold and bronze medals for the Ramon Magsaysay Award. However, his masterpiece is the Bonifacio Monument that stands at the intersection of Rizal Avenue and EDSA in Caloocan City. It was completed in 1933 and represents the first encounter between Andres Bonifacio and the Katipunan.

Tolentino’s major works include:

• 1933 – The Bonifacio Monument, in Caloocan City
• 1935 – The UP Oblation, at the University of the Philippines
• 1951 – Venus
• 1957 – Alma Mater statue of the University of the East
• undated – Filipinas in Bondage

Kulay-Diwa  is a venue for Philippines and Southeast Asian Contemporary Art. Inaugurated on February 7, 1987, Kulay-Diwa, is strategically located within a cluster of communities South of Manila.  It has five independent exhibition areas able to accommodate large-scale works and a garden ideal for programs, performances and sculpture installations.  The goals of the gallery are to discover and promote the works of young, talented but deserving Filipino Artists and to foster cultural interaction and exchanges with the local regions and other countries.

Kulay (Colour)

Diwa  (Spirit, Thought)

Works currently unavailable. Please contact us if you are interested.

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