Art Criticism
Subject: FISHERMEN (1931-2005)
Artist: Ang Kiukok “National Artist for Visual Arts 2001”
Medium: Oil in canvas mounted on wood
Dimension: 60.5 x 91.2cm
Ang Kiukok ‘Fishermen’ is considered as the Philippine figurative
expressionism artwork as it emphasized the assembled subject matter. He is
the most vital and dynamic figure that emerged during the 60’s as one of the
pioneer modernists, pursuing expressionistic works in sociological and
nationalist agenda which convey meaning and possess high impact. The
artwork is signed and dated in the year 1981 showing the main figures of the
fishermen gripping their fishing nets in the sea working together as they
struggle to haul plenty of fish under the crimson of the sun. The oil paint on
canvas brings out the artist's expression in shape, symbol and colors through
a cubist-expressionism style. The vibrancy of the earthy colors compliments
the presence of the fishing net and fishes which further sets to focus on the
idea of the Filipino livelihood. The illusion of light into the dark shade of the
, painting looks mildly warm in the eyes which put more contrast into the
fishermen. The artist used diagonal lines and shapes to give emphasis on the
figures in order to relay the message that he wanted to express.
The artist was inspired in his Catholic faith that refers to the biblical
parables such as the Fishermen. This artwork highlights the story of the
religious fable, where Jesus asked a group of fishermen to throw their fishing
nets in the ocean and they didn't expect the amount of fish that they would
harvest once they pulled it up in the water. The artist’s appropriation in the
geometrical shapes that was used portrays the figures of the workers while
the bright orange sun may signify the positive belief of the artists by having
faith and trust in God. The struggle in fishing in daily lives to support their
families in small amounts of income is reflected in the portrayal movement
of the painting. They have to adjust their time in order to catch the fish early
in the morning. The light color in a curved line above the painting might
symbolize the hope for all the workers, while the sun is already set which
means that the Fishermen already achieved their completion of work in
fishing within that day. It is evidently shown that their struggles, sacrifices
and hard work will increase the probability of achieving the fruits of their
labor.
The artist achieved the quality of the art in the form of cubism to
expressionism. The conveyance of the message that he wants to impart to
the audience made a high impact, through the meeting of the diagonal lines
Subject: FISHERMEN (1931-2005)
Artist: Ang Kiukok “National Artist for Visual Arts 2001”
Medium: Oil in canvas mounted on wood
Dimension: 60.5 x 91.2cm
Ang Kiukok ‘Fishermen’ is considered as the Philippine figurative
expressionism artwork as it emphasized the assembled subject matter. He is
the most vital and dynamic figure that emerged during the 60’s as one of the
pioneer modernists, pursuing expressionistic works in sociological and
nationalist agenda which convey meaning and possess high impact. The
artwork is signed and dated in the year 1981 showing the main figures of the
fishermen gripping their fishing nets in the sea working together as they
struggle to haul plenty of fish under the crimson of the sun. The oil paint on
canvas brings out the artist's expression in shape, symbol and colors through
a cubist-expressionism style. The vibrancy of the earthy colors compliments
the presence of the fishing net and fishes which further sets to focus on the
idea of the Filipino livelihood. The illusion of light into the dark shade of the
, painting looks mildly warm in the eyes which put more contrast into the
fishermen. The artist used diagonal lines and shapes to give emphasis on the
figures in order to relay the message that he wanted to express.
The artist was inspired in his Catholic faith that refers to the biblical
parables such as the Fishermen. This artwork highlights the story of the
religious fable, where Jesus asked a group of fishermen to throw their fishing
nets in the ocean and they didn't expect the amount of fish that they would
harvest once they pulled it up in the water. The artist’s appropriation in the
geometrical shapes that was used portrays the figures of the workers while
the bright orange sun may signify the positive belief of the artists by having
faith and trust in God. The struggle in fishing in daily lives to support their
families in small amounts of income is reflected in the portrayal movement
of the painting. They have to adjust their time in order to catch the fish early
in the morning. The light color in a curved line above the painting might
symbolize the hope for all the workers, while the sun is already set which
means that the Fishermen already achieved their completion of work in
fishing within that day. It is evidently shown that their struggles, sacrifices
and hard work will increase the probability of achieving the fruits of their
labor.
The artist achieved the quality of the art in the form of cubism to
expressionism. The conveyance of the message that he wants to impart to
the audience made a high impact, through the meeting of the diagonal lines
