Exhibitions

In the early 1970s, the Cultural Center in recognition of highly talented young artists launched what became the highly prestigious and much coveted Thirteen Artist Awards. Among its early recipients were four outstanding artists that became bywords of the Philippine Modernist movement namely the abstract artists Romulo Olazo and Justin Nuyda, the sculptor Ed Castrillo and the figurative modernist Mario Parial (b. 1944, d. 2013).

Although these four have already passed, their legacy to the Philippine art and culture community has been immeasurable and indisputable.

This August we celebrate an important milestone in the career of one of those four outstanding artists. In particular in the exhibit “The Unparalleled Mario Parial”. The project becomes event more relevant and timely as this year marks Parial’s 80th birth anniversary had he still been alive today.

Humble Beginnings

Mario Parial was born in Gapan, Nueva Ecija on August 13, 1944 to Fidel Garcia Parial – a local kalesa coachman – and his wife Aurora. Gapan was founded in 1595, and is known for its vast tracts of farmland and agricultural endeavors. Parial, the eighth of 14 children, was thus born in a very atypical rural Philippine town. The prosperous rural nature of the town would eventually serve as a foundational setting for much of his artwork. Later in life, his achievements would not go unnoticed by his hometown with the province of Nueva Ecija honoring him with a plaque of appreciation as Outstanding Nueva Ecijaño in the year 2004.

The Parial family eventually left Gapan, settling down in the La Loma district of Quezon City in the 1960s. Parial flourished in the big city, pursuing a fine arts degree at the University of Santo Tomas after which he built a stellar career in the visual arts.

Art with High Distinction

Parial has developed his art with high distinction tackling such diverse themes as Philippine fiestas, rituals, and folklore such as the Moriones Festival, the Nazareno of Quiapo, anting-antings (amulets), masks and jesters, omens of good fortune (a fisher), colorful kites, fruit vendors, harvest scenes, and female vendors

He has won numerous awards for his paintings, including First Prize at the Art Association of the Philippines 1966 Graphic Arts Award, First Prize in Sculpture at the 1966 Shell National Student Art Competition, and The Outstanding Thomasian Alumni award from his alma mater in 2009 and has exhibited extensively in Asia, North America, and Europe.

The Unparalleled Mario Parial

After his untimely passing in 2013, it took time to put together an extensive collection of his art for exhibition purposes. At last, Galerie Joaquin is honored to present this collection of twenty-eight (28) pieces. This covers a good number of Parial’s favorite themes and subjects bursting with colorful flowers, mirthful jesters and harlequins, some floating in an array of fruits or flora, siblings with colorful balloons underscoring Parial’s major theme in his work, namely the fullness and joy of his life as a Filipino.

The Unparalleled Mario Parial runs from August 11-22 at Galerie Joaquin Rockwell. Galerie Joaquin is located at R3 Level, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Center, Makati City. For inquiries, contact +63 915 414 5502 or email galeriejoaquinrockwell@gmail.com.