Fernando Modesto

Fernando Modesto manifests his penchant for the irrepressibly enigmatic by way of seemingly whimsical paintings of pastels and color fields. Hence, this may be glimpsed as the harbinger of the show with its apparent symbolism either signifying a realization of a new found faith or renewed devotion to a practice. In Modesto ’s case, it may be that of painting.

Modesto's pieces depict his familiar dappled field of pastels, of blues and greens, some flowing from a narrow panel, others with a face superimposed. Modesto says these faces are those of Buddha, although they appear more to be generic shorthand for the familiar human form. Religion is often tagged with his works and his abstract paintings revel much in such shamanism. But Modesto attempts to raise this veil of so-called mystery, not as much as to reveal the mechanics of this deception, but rather to affirm this submission as a needful tactic of faith, to believe what one sees, or rather what he believes to be seeing. These are often interpreted as metaphors from where timeless myths are born. 

Modesto’s paintings act like a cyclical record keeping of moments evoked by personal experiences, travels, even wistful imagining – all fleeting and mutable, transcribed as though on magic slates. These seem to be paralleled by the way paint flows on the canvas, their colors thinning out to reveal traces of several color washes underneath. 

Fernando Modesto has finished his Bachelor’s degree in Architecture at the University of Sto . Tomas and went on further studies at Central St. Martin’s School of Art and Design in London on a grant by the British Council. He has also been awarded the 13 Artists Award by the Cultural Center of the Philippines and has won prizes for printmaking by the Art Association of the Philippines and for UNESCO. His works have been exhibited extensively internationally since the 1970s. He’s currently based in Jakarta , Indonesia .

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)

Other works available upon request.

Available works:

Fernando Modesto, "7", Acrylic on Paper, 45 x 61 cms., 1992

Fernando Modesto, Untitled, Pastel on Paper, 109 x 73 cms., 1984

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