Visual artist on Art 2 Art

MANILA, Philippines - Art 2 Art pays tribute to National Artist for Visual Arts Hernando Ocampo on its episode airing today at 3:30 p.m. on DZRH. The program can also be viewed simultaneously on RHTV via the RHTV channel on Cablelink and on the Internet through the website http://dzrh.prepys.com.

For the special tribute, host Lisa Macuja interviews the late National Artist’s daughter, Norma Ocampo-Flores, and granddaughter Karen Flores who is also a painter and the officer-in-charge of the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Visual Arts Department.

Popularly known simply as H.R. Ocampo, the artist whose 100th birth anniversary is being marked on April 28 notably with an exhibit at the GSIS Museo ng Sining running until December was a leading proponent of Neo-Realism.

Ocampo started working at a young age to help support his family. He was a shoeshine boy, a newsboy, a tranvia ticket vendor and a cabaret cashier. He finished high school and, because of his innate intelligence and love for reading, he went on to become a journalist, editor, scriptwriter and TV director, aside from being a poet and fictionist. He also became an advertising executive.

From the 1940s to the 1960s, Ocampo also became serious with his painting and began winning awards in various art competitions. Though he didn’t take any formal lessons in painting, he would eventually become one of the most respected artists of his generation. He was one of the founders of the famed Saturday Group of Artists. One of his most recognized works is Genesis, which was the basis for the design of the massive curtain of the CCP Main Theater.

H.R. Ocampo passed away in 1978 at the age of 77. He was named National Artist for the Visual Arts in 1991.

Every last Sunday of the month, Art 2 Art pays tribute to a National Artist. The show presents National Artists as positive role models who have devoted their lives to the advancement of art and culture.

For details, e-mail at [email protected]. On Facebook, check out the account Ballerina ng Bayan for updates on Art 2 Art episodes and Ballet Manila performances.