Edgar "Egai" Talusan Fernandez (January 20, 1955 – February 27, 2024) was a Filipino socialist-realist painter.[1][2][3] His art style was noted for portraying the Philippines as "a multi-ethnic country that is still embroiled in social issues such as civil conflicts."[4][5][6][7][excessive citations] Active in the Philippine art scene from the 1970s onwards,[8] he was particularly known for his activist art which criticized the dictatorship of former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos.[1][9][10][11][12][excessive citations]
Fernandez studied advertising at the Philippine Women's University under the mentorship of renowned Philippine abstractionists Lee Aguinaldo and Justin Nuyda, who helped influence his early style. His developing affiliation with activist groups eventually led to him becoming one of the founders of the Kaisahan group, which would become one of the bastions for Social Realism in the country.[citation needed]
Fernandez's style as a social realist painter was largely defined by his iconography depicting the many trials plaguing Philippine society.[citation needed]
Fernandez died on February 27, 2024, at the age of 68.[13][14]
Solo exhibitions
edit- Modular Paintings, Ateneo Art Gallery, Philippines, 1975
- Reflections, National Commission for Culture and the Arts Gallery, Philippines, 2012[10]
- Sound of Silence: Remembering Martial Law, National Commission for Culture and the Arts Gallery, Philippines, 2016[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Art show relives horrors of martial law for millennials and amnesiacs". Inquirer Lifestyle. September 11, 2016.
- ^ Guerrero, Amadis Ma. (2019). Philippine Social Realists. Erehwon Artworld Corporation. ISBN 9786218058057.
- ^ Esguerra, Vicky (2020-11-13). "Egai Fernandez: Painter of Birhen Balintawak". Diocese of Greater Manila Area. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
- ^ "The Japan Foundation - Edgar Talusan Fernandez : contemporary art of the Philippines". www.jpf.go.jp.
- ^ "Painting Repression - Various Artists - Bantayog ng mga Bayani". 2023-05-19. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
- ^ Ladrido, R. C. (2024-03-05). "Ardor undiminished: Remembering Edgar Talusan Fernandez (1955-2024)". Retrieved 2024-03-06.
- ^ Cultural Center of the Philippines, Government of the Republic of the Philippines (February 28, 2022). "People Power 1986: Where were you? Mga saysay mula sa sining biswal". Cultural Center of the Philippines.
- ^ "A history lesson". 2016-09-25. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
- ^ "An Echo from the Past: the Remains of Martial Law". September 23, 2016.
- ^ a b "Egai Talusan Fernandez's 'Reflections' at the NCCA Gallery". GMA News Online. 6 March 2012.
- ^ "Honoring the heroes of EDSA". February 23, 2018.
- ^ "Introducing 'Kalayaan at Iba pang Kwentuhan at Kanto'". Fringe Magazine. 13 September 2013.
- ^ Ayala Museum [@ayalamuseum] (February 29, 2024). "Ayala Museum mourns the passing of Edgar "Egai" Talusan Fernandez on February 27, 2024". Makati. Retrieved March 1, 2024 – via Instagram.
- ^ Salgado, Joey (March 1, 2024). "Egai Talusan Fernandez: Resistance in Quiet Dignity". Our Brew. Retrieved March 1, 2024.