Pinto Art Museum Opens Its Doors

Salingpusa Collective, "Karnabal", 1992

Elmer Borlongan, "Walang Iwanan", 1999 and "Hating Kapatid", 1993

Only Dr. Joven Cuanang can make Manila’s culturati trek all the way to the hills of Antipolo early on a Sunday morning.

Elmer Borlongan, "Sing Along", 1994

Mark Justiniani, "Bighani"

The art community recognizes Dr. Cuanang as a passionate supporter of Philippine contemporary art.  He has amassed a formidable collection, the core of which he acquired in the 1990s.  At that time, he almost single-handedly patronized a group of artists whom commercial galleries did not welcome into their rosters.  Dr. Cuanang opened Boston Gallery out of his own home in Quezon City to provide a venue for the likes of Elmer Borlongan, Mark Justiniani, Emmanuel Garibay, and Jose John Santos III to show their pieces.  Now, of course, galleries scramble to have works of these artists up on their walls.  Back then, to allow them to paint at will,  Dr. Cuanang would invite this group of artists to his retreat in Antipolo on weekends.

Mark Justiniani, "Halik", 1998

Mark Justiniai oil on wood piece

After the success of Boston Gallery, the property in Antipolo transformed into another space to showcase art.  Pinto Art Gallery stands at the entrance of what would be known as the Silangan Gardens.  Dr. Cuanang’s weekend home lies nestled within the garden’s sprawling terrain.  His collection, however, needed the proper setting, one that would allow him to share it with the public.  Two years ago, Dr. Cuanang began construction of the Pinto Art Museum.

Artist Tony Leaño has translated Dr. Cuanang’s vision into a set of interweaving

The evolution of Jose John Santos III

mission style structures  amidst Silangan Gardens’ greenery, perfect backdrops for the permanent display of art.  The depth of the collection, especially of works by artists from the Salingpusa Collective, just staggers.  One room houses Mark Justiniani’s oils on wood.  Elmer

Nona Garcia, "Hallow", 2010

Borlongan’s earlier, more Mannerist paintings take up a whole other section. We track the evolution of John Santos’ painting styles through his pieces that Dr. Cuanang chose to display.  There are more recent works too: I loved  Nona Garcia’s Hallow, an assemblage of light boxes that illuminate negative images of varied santos.  Each light box has been finished with a carved black wooden frame.

Wall of works by Manny Garibay

Jose John Santos III, "Wall Piece", 2000 (Thirteen Artist Awards Exhibit Piece)

We are so lucky to have art patrons like Dr. Cuanang to take up the slack of our state-run cultural institutions.  Thank you Dr. Cuanang for Pinto Art Museum—a wonderful gift to Filipino art lovers!

John and Pam Santos and Yorkie Gomez with Pam's piece, "Make Room", 2009

Pinto Art Museum is located at the Silangan Gardens, 1 Sierra Madre Heights, Grandheights, Antipolo City.  It is open Tuesdays to Sundays from 9 am to 6 pm.  Phone (632)697-1015 or email pintoartmusem@yahoo.com

 

One of the museum's halls with a Leeroy New installation

Inside the hall of masters

 

Jose Tence Ruiz, Kotillion painting and Kariton Katedral

Alfredo Esquillo Jr., "Propetang Kulang Sa Pansin", 2006

Paintings by Karen Ocampo Flores

Rodel Tapaya, "Bayan ng Ginhaw", 2005

By Don Salubayba

Jose John Santos III, untitled, 1992

By Elmer Borlongan

Joven Mansit, "School of Fish"

By Riel Hilario

For silent auction at the Pinto Art Gallery, Antipas Delotavo, "Habagat"

Danilo Dalena, "Amen", 2010

Danilo Dalena, "Amen", 2010

Aba, Kiri, and Danny Dalena

For silent auction at the Pinto Art Gallery, Elmer Borlongan, "Taong Naiinip", 2010

For silent auction at the Pinto Art Gallery, Joel Alonday, "In The Shade"

At the Pinto Art Gallery, Jose John Santos III, "Black Bag", 2010

For silent auction at the Pinto Art Gallery, Joy Mallari, "Babaylan"

For silent auction at the Pinto Art Gallery, Mark Justiniani, "Deposition", 2010

For silent auction at the Pinto Art Gallery, Plet Bolipata, "Mr. Ziggy Bunny", and Pamela Yan Santos, "Mushroom Building"

For silent auction at the Pinto Art Gallery, Joven Mansit, "Alamat ng P", 2010

Portrait of Dr. Joven Cuanang by Winner Jumalon, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5 comments on “Pinto Art Museum Opens Its Doors

  1. is there an entrance fee? how much? im a school teacher and would like to bring my teenage daughters…would we allow to take pictures inside?
    pls reply, thank u

    • The best way to contact the artists featured here would be through the galleries that exhibit them. All gallery details are found in each of the posts. Thank you for taking the time to follow this blog.

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