signed and dated 1980 (upper right)
oil on canvas
24\" x 48\" (61 cm x 122 cm)
Norma Belleza (b. 1939)
Buena Mano
si","size":null,"property":null,"coa":null,"provenance":null,"exhibited":null,"literature":null,"write_up":"The term “Folk art” was first coined during the 1700s to describe art created by craftsmen, manual laborers, peasants, tradespeople, and working-class folk. These artists were regarded as untrained or only had very little schooling in the field of fine arts. Even though some had practical skills they learned from different jobs— such as painting signs and houses. Truly an art for the human spirit, this genre relies on experience, community, and heritage. It is deeply rooted in tradition and embodies the artist’s feelings, ideas, expressions, and customs to life. Folk artists often use simple artistic techniques, bright colors, and childlike perspectives, creating art as a means of self-expression rather than creating art that’s “correct.” Currently, it is continually produced by people from all walks of life from all over the world.
In the Philippines, an Alumna of the University of Santo Tomas, Norma Belleza champions in transforming the beloved genre as she employs her kaleidoscopic palette, a tapestry of patterns and an effulgence of vision as portrayed in her preferred subjects of market scene and mother and child that reflects the joy in daily survival. Belleza started her artistic career by painting dark and somber representations of depressing subjects and religious objects. She then progressed into colorful and detailed works on folk genre subjects, including Metro Manila aides, peasants in various rural activities, women vendors, and potters. She emphasizes the physical strength and native appearance of her subjects. In the years to come, her works continue to be exhibited and featured in art books, book covers, magazines, and journals.
Belleza is a recipient of the Araw ng Maynila Award for Painting. She also represented the Philippines in the First ASEAN Symposium of Aesthetics Workshop and Exhibition and is included in the book Self-Portraits: Twelve Filipino Artists Speak by Thelma Kintanar and Sylvia Mendez Ventura (Ateneo Press, 1999). Norma Belleza’s paintings are currently in the collection of the Jaycee International Art Center and the University of Sydney International House. She also won various awards, among some are the 1993 Araw ng Maynila Award, SNSAC Competition, the AAP Competition, and Gabriela Silang art competition.","lot_group":"PAINTING","lot_details_html":"
Norma Belleza (b. 1939)
Buena Mano
signed and dated 1980 (upper right)
oil on canvas
24\" x 48\" (61 cm x 122 cm)