Online Pinoys mourn the death of painter Anita Magsaysay-Ho

Published May 6, 2012 1:38pm

After Filipino artist Anita Magsaysay-Ho passed away on Saturday, online Filipinos paid tribute to the pioneering painter on social networking sites.

The posts about the late artist reveal a lasting legacy. Many shared how Magsaysay-Ho had made a difference in their lives, whether they were inspired by her work or were fortunate enough to know her.

"She lived an inspiring creative life up to the end," tweeted artist Hannah Liongoren.

"As a child, I became interested in painting on wood after seeing her works in a collection published by CCP," tweeted writer Ada Dizon Angeles.

Known for her modernist art depicting Filipino women at work, Magsaysay-Ho was the only female in the so-called "Thirteen Moderns" - an elite group of artists in the 1950s who challenged established traditions in Philippine painting.

Magsaysay-Ho won a number of awards from the Art Association of the Philippines, as well as second prize for "Five Senses" in the 1950 Manila Grand Opera House Exhibition, and second prize for "Fish Vendors" on the 1952 Second Watercolor Exhibition of Graphic Arts. According to her biography published online by Geringer Art Ltd., her early works are said to show the influence of Fernando Amorsolo, and evolved toward modernism with cubist distortion and stylized visual rhythms. In the 1950s, she featured women at work. In this decade, her paintings had bold brushwork and contrasting dark and light tones. In the 1960s, her work was said to be more relaxed, with softer lines, appearing choreographed and graceful. Influenced by Chinese calligraphy, she explored a new style using inkblots in the 1970s, followed by a "Green Period" in the 1980s. Magsaysay-Ho studied Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines and Cranbrook Academy in Michigan. She also took courses in oil painting and drawing at the Art Student's League in New York City, where she met her husband Robert Ho. After their marriage, Ho established the shipping business Magsaysay Inc. The couple moved often, and lived in many different countries. Magsaysay-Ho became a Canadian citizen, thus becoming ineligible for the National Artist Award. Artist and gallery owner Rock Drilon says this is discrimination against women. "Biktima siya nang patuloy na pag-discriminate nang ating batas sa ating mga kababaihan... bakit ganun? Si Edades ikinasal din sa foreigner. Hindi makatarungan," Drilon said in his Facebook post. It is somewhat ironic, as Magsaysay-Ho's paintings mostly featured Filipino women, he added. “In my works I always celebrate the women of the Philippines. I regard them with deep admiration and they continue to inspire me – their movements and gestures, their expressions of happiness and frustration; their diligence and shortcomings; their joy of living. I know very well the strength, hard work and quiet dignity of Philippine women, for I am one of them," Magsaysay-Ho is quoted in "In Praise of Women," her biography by Alfredo Roces, published in 2005. — HS/LBG, GMA News

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