Bronze sculpture of Pacita Abad unveiled for artist’s 10th death anniversary

The 10th death anniversary of Pacita Abad was marked by the unveiling of a life-size bronze sculpture of the artist at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila on December 6.

Known for her canvases of vibrant patterns and mixed media collages, Abad mounted over 40 solo exhibitions and participated in over 50 group exhibits all over the world in which she featured artworks inspired by her years of travel.

Abad died of lung cancer in 2004 at the age of 58.

Born in Basco, Batanes in 1946, Abad became known for combining indigenous materials to create natural and spontaneous art pieces. She developed the technique of "trapunto" painting, named after a quilting technique, which entailed stitching and stuffing her painted canvases to give them a three-dimensional, sculptural effect.

Abad also incorporated traditional fabrics, mirrors, beads, shells, buttons and other objects into the surface of her painting materials.

The family and board members of the Jorge, Aurora and Pacita Abad Memorial Foundation, Inc (JPAMFI) and Fundacion Pacita commissioned sculptor Julie Lluch—known for monumental artworks that expressively portray women, family and nature—to create the sculpture entitled “Pacita.”

In attendance at the unveiling were Lluch and Abad's family, including her siblings Victoria Abad Kerblat and Budget Secretary Florencio "Butch" Abad.

The sculpture, veiled with a sampaguita garland, will be brought permanently to the artist’s home studio in Batanes. — BM, GMA News