LOT 26
Paco Gorospe
B. Philippines, 1939
Four Ladies, 1965
Signed “pacogorospe ‘65” on lower right
Oil on canvas
60 x 90 cm
Provenance Private Collection, Canada
RM 2,500 – RM 4,500
He was dubbed the “Picasso of the Philippines”. Inspired by the simple and colourful lifestyle of native tribes and the elements that surround it, Paco paints them beautifully. The women here, who come from tribes around the Philippines, are painted as they are gathered together.
There is a misty, foggy atmosphere that clouds the canvas and the women are blurred artistically so that the entire piece is reminiscent of something likened to a recollection, or a distant memory. This piece also gives off a dreamy, fantasy-like vibe, drawing the viewers to the mysticism and mystery that surround it.
Paco enrolled in the University of St. Thomas as a Fine Art Student, studied under Hong Kong artist David Cheng, but after one year more or less dropped out of the UST. He settled down in Ermita, Manila, and joined with a group of artists and opened up his own gallery in Mabini. From 1961 until 1965 his paintings were patronised by Lyd Arguilla at the Philippine Art Gallery and sold in the United States. Paco´s works were chosen to represent the Philippines in 1962 at the Washington World Fair and in 1964 his painting were exhibited at the New York World Fair.