Onib Olmedo

Onib Olmedo (1937-1996)

Olmedo was one of the country's top expressionist artists with his signature use of distortion to probe the subject's innermost being. His distortion is combined with exquisite color harmonies, and shows a deep sympathy for the hoi polloi at the margins of society, as well as for sensitive beings such as thinkers and musicians. 

Olmedo was one man who showed empathy for society’s underdog. Witness his gallery of the poor and the dispossessed. He painted even the sakada workers from Negros and waitresses in the cheap girlie joints.

It is interesting to note that, after an extended period of anguish and suffering (aggravated by poor sales), he shifted toward the brighter side of life, painting lively still lifes. These pieces, however, came toward the end of his life, when, suffering from diabetes and other complications, he expressed the wish to be at peace with himself and the world.

He graduated from the Mapua Institute of Technology with a bachelor’s degree in Architecture (1959). Known for his expressionistic style, Olmedo inspired many young artists with his distorted and ghostlike images. His black and white compositions create an eerie world brought about by inner fears and anxieties.

Born: July 7, 1937, Manila, Philippines
Died: September 8, 1996

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 goal of the gallery is 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)

Available works:

Onib Olmedo, Couples, Pastel on Felt Paper, 27x22 inches (68.58x55.88 cm), 1980's

Onib Onib Olmedo, "Untitled", Pastel & Acrylic on Paper, 71.12 x 55.88 cm, 1995

Onib Olmedo, "Female Evolution", Pastel on Paper, 55 x 71 cms., 1992

Onib Olmedo, "Untitled 1", Pastel on paper, 69 x 54 cms., 1992

Onib Olmedo, "Untitled 2", Pastel on Paper, 69 x 54 cms., 1991

Onib Olmedo, "Untitled 3", Pastel on Paper, 69 x 54 cms., 1993

Onib Olmedo, "Untitled 4", Pastel on Paper, 69 x 54 cms., 1994

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