Born into a family of woodcarvers and furniture manufacturers, Riel Hilario has an innate talent for the arts. However, he diverged from this practice and instead pursued painting. He received formal art education from the Philippine High School for the Arts and the University of the Philippines. Moreover, Hilario went on various artistic sojourns in the United States and Europe. Hilario also served as curator for the Pintô Art Museum in Antipolo, where his sculptures and installations were also a staple display.
\nHilario was a multi-talented artist that cleverly utilized wood, metal, paper, canvas, found objects, and other materials to produce art that was described as “ageless contemporary sculpture of an antique aesthetic, mythical and surreal images straight out of a religious folk experience.” However, it was in wood sculpture that he found solace, which served as his self-directed therapy following the debilitating episode of manic depression he had.
\nIn 2007, Riel Hilario suffered from schizoid visions and dreams that greatly affected his mental well-being. However, he did not let this setback define him. Instead, he found an outlet to free his mind, finally materializing his disturbing and terrifying visions in his wooden sculptures. “The practice had a cathartic effect and also helped me refocus my cultural work to do research on the craft,” Hilario shared with Glenn Martinez, a testament to his resilience and determination.
\nSince then, his oeuvre has been a combination of found objects and wooden sculptures. The construction of his wood carvings and installations was based on iconography but followed the urgings of his visions. This resulted in mid to large-scale works offering a unique blend of mythical and surrealistic images, which has captivated and intrigued art enthusiasts.
\nThis untitled assemblage illustrates Hilario’s distinctive artistry and penchant for surrealism. An almost half-filled glass jar was set atop a wooden stool; on the side was a white stand, resting on top was a wooden horse carrying what looked like a distressed man with leaves sprouting from his body. His unique artistry did not go unnoticed, for his works have been at the center of various art spaces and private collections. Riel Hilario received numerous awards and recognitions, including the prestigious Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Thirteen Artists Awards in 2012.
","lot_group":"SCULPTURE","lot_details_html":"Riel Hilario (1976 - 2021)
Untitled
signed, dated 2020 and inscribed \"P.K.L.P.\"
mixed media
Horse and stand
H: 72\" (183 cm)
L: 20\" (51 cm)
W: 29\" (74 cm)
Jar
H: 12\" (30 cm)
D: 8\" (20 cm)
Chair
H: 29\" (74 cm)
L: 13\" (33 cm)
W: 13\" (33 cm)