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LYDIA VELASCO'S DANCES WITH WOMEN
Known for her interest in women as her main subject, Lydia Velasco showcases in this unique exhibition the development of her style from the early 1990’s, when she started painting on a full time basis to the present time. Highly expressionist and contemporary in style, the 35 figurative artworks in oil, acrylic and watercolor at once celebrate femininity and womanhood, punctuated as they are by the artist’s desire to strengthen society’s view of women.
"Sensual, religious, motherly: the essence of a woman," is how the 63-year old artist describes her creations. Characterized by massive bodies, soft facial features, and huge bosoms, Velasco’s luscious-lipped subjects with rather knowing glances are at once a portrayal of allure, natural grace, inner strength, and self-expression.
Velasco’s initial explorations in painting were in the form of faceless figures with defined poses. Muted and monochromatic in approach, they are clearly the reflections of an artist’s soul seeking to define her identity in the art world. One of these earlier works, a 48" x 31" "Mother & Child (1992)" is featured in this exhibition.
The difficulties, personal sufferings, and hardships the artist went through coupled with the double standard faced by women in a patriarchal society, fueled her strong desire to help define and liberate women through her art. Although her canvases began conceiving voluptuous women with ripe-mango complexions, the intensity in her figures in their free flowing motions capture the tension.
A product of the University of Sto. Tomas, College of Fine Arts, she immediately worked at an advertising agency Philprom after university. Among her directors were H.R. Ocampo and Cesar Legaspi, who since become National Artists. As part of H.R. Ocampo’s creative team who made storyboards for soap commercials, she dexterously showed the different facets of women even then: "…babaeng malalandi, tumatawa, umiirap…," the artist shared.
Coming from a humble background, and working in the male-dominated advertising field of the early ‘60’s, Velasco experienced the need to be taken seriously and be respected in her chosen profession and as a woman. She proved herself by delivering excellence in any of the projects she undertook. This passion for excellence she has brought to her
art.
She remained an artist at Philprom for 10 years before moving on to become an art director for top multinational ad agencies such as DYR, J. Walter Thompson, Pacific Ads, Ace Compton (Ace Saatchi), Basic Advertising, and McCaan-Erickson. She left McCaan-Erickson in 1988 and opened her own design and photography studio called Lightmoves Photography and Design with a business partner. When this business became stable she then took to painting full time.
At present, Velasco is the current President of the Kulay Marikina Group of Artists, and a member of the Saturday Group of Artists and the Art Association of the Philippines. She started participating in numerous group shows since 1993 and started her solo exhibitions in 1996. Among her most recent accomplishments is that this year, Velasco joins top Filipino artists selected for the forthcoming Sotheby’s April auction of Southeast Asian Art in Singapore with her 48" x 28" acrylic work titled "Flower
Vendors".
Looking back over a 13-year career period, Velasco is aware that hers has been a long and eventful journey. "One can be humbled and grateful for the numerous blessings," she says. A portrait of self-actualization, hers is a deep sense of fulfillment whenever she can help her family and siblings, extend support to young aspiring artists, while working on her paintings of women as they continuously evolve in surprising ways. Lydia Velasco herself is indeed the essence of a woman.
View Lydia Velasco's Profile
Articles and Press Releases
February 4, 2006
Lydia Velasco’s ‘La Danse’
January 29, 2006
The Woman in the Painting
January 23, 2006
Lydia Velasco’s ‘La Danse’ at Galerie Joaquin (Press Release)
January 23, 2006
Lydia Velasco, woman artist
January 18, 2006
Lydia Velasco dances with women |
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