Loy king pursues classical realism

CEBU, Philippines - After staying in the United States in a span of 14 years and retiring from managing a family-owned enterprise, Luis “Loy” King started to pick up the brush in October of last year. It was learned that King is an art patron, a companion of artists, and that his exposure to art museums all over the world has influenced him in pursuing the visual arts as a hobby. Although largely self-taught, he gets occasional guidance and rating from renowned Cebuano visual artist Jose “Kimsoy” Yap Jr. and lectures on art integrity and correct philosophy from distinguished Cebuano realist Romulo Galicano.

“My paintings depict nature and its serene beauty especially what delights one’s senses, soul, mind and spirit,” King said in a brief interview at the Loy King Gallery and Studio in Barangay Tisa where the Nueves Art Group – of which he is the president – converges every Thursday.

King pointed out that his style is considered classical realism, drawing inspiration from “rustic, serene, bucolic scenes with peaceful tonal effect.”

This, according to him, is a tribute to God’s Grand Creation and, sort of, expression of nostalgia for lost rural charm with pastoral scenes fast vanishing from the face of a supposedly good, green earth.

He became a finalist of the on-the-spot oil painting tilt in Barangay Ga-as, Balamban for the March 2010 commemoration of the death anniversary of former President Magsaysay who perished on Mt. Manunggal in a plane crash in 1957.

“I believe that despite being a neophyte in the Cebu visual arts scene, I have proven to have nurtured this God-given talent of which I am eternally grateful,” King said.

King is an AB Liacom graduate of the De La Salle University in 1976 with post graduate studies (Bachelor of Laws) at the University of San Jose-Recoletos in 2006.