Crucible Gallery’s next big thing: ‘Four Paintings and a Sculpture’

Is it for sale?" This is the question that a collector inevitably asks when told that an Anita Magsaysay-Ho painting is on exhibit. "It’s so rare to find Anita’s work," says Sari Ortiga, one of three partners who own the Crucible Gallery at the Artwalk at the Megamall. "Her last one-woman exhibit must have been more than ten years ago."

Known as a Filipino modernist, Magsaysay-Ho’s artworks are filled with images of women – among flowers in the garden or working in the farm; fruit vendors or laundrywomen. The "spectacular sale" of her work entitled "In the Marketplace" for $375,000 at the Christie’s auction of Southeast Asian art in October 1999 "sent shock waves", not only in the local but also in the regional art scenes. "It reinforced international respect and appreciation for Philippine art," Sari says.

Done in 1955 at the peak of her creative career, the small art piece (58 by 76 cm.) in egg tempera which is, by Anita’s own admission, "the medium that I love best," captures a typical market scene where the women, both vendors and buyers, appear to be haggling animatedly. "It broke all previous records for a Filipino painting when it was bought at the auction for P15 million," says Sari who points out that "an artist’s price is validated by his price in an auction."

At the Sotheby’s auction of Southeast Asian paintings held at the Regent in Singapore last September 30, 2001, Magsaysay-Ho’s "Two Ladies with Fruits," signed and dated 1959, was auctioned. The 103 by 61.5 cm. oil on canvas was listed at US$66,600 — $100,000. Other works by Filipino artists included in the auction are Fernando Amorsolo’s "Lady with Pineapple", listed at US$33,300-$44,400; Botong Francisco’s "Bugan and Aliguyon," listed at US$41,600-$47,200; and Cesar Legaspi’s "Workers," listed at US$22,200-$33,300.

The big news is that four new paintings and a sculpture by Anita Magsaysay-Ho will be on exhibit at the Crucible Gallery at the Megamall from Oct. 18 to Nov. 18. "This will surely be welcome news for art lovers and collectors," says Sari who considers himself an avid "fan" of Anita Magsaysay-Ho. So also are his two partners– Randy Young, whose main line of business is in export and the semi-conductor and electronics business; and Richard Dee, who is in the retail business with True Value and Power Records. Sari, who majored in Philosophy and Business Management at the De La Salle University, is also engaged in the manufacture of synthetic stones for a well-known Swiss label. The three share a love for art and together, in 1993, they established the Crucible Gallery. Through the Crucible Workshop, they published Art Philippines said to be "the most comprehensive guide to Philippine painting, sculpture and printmaking, covering 400 years." The volume is "lavishly illustrated with important works from institutions and private collections, many of which have never been published before."

"Randy is the biggest collector of Anita’s paintings," Sari says. Sari, himself, owns three. "Women with Orchids" (1991), a 60 by 49.5 cm. oil on canvas, was included in A Sense of Serenity: Anita Magsaysay-Ho with Twelve Filipino Poets, published by the Crucible Workshop in 1996.

Sari remembers when he first got interested in collecting, way back in 1978. "I was in my first job and my salary was only P1,200 a month," Sari recalls. "An Anita Magsaysay-Ho painting at that time already cost P8,000, which was almost the equivalent of my salary for six months."

The bronze sculpture included in the exhibit is only the third sculpture done by Anita Magsaysay-Ho. Entitled "Love for the Birds," it measures 11.5 by 6.5 by 6.5 inches. It is one of an edition of 12. "Anita created the clay mold," Sari relates, "while Jo Mendoza cast it in bronze." Jo Mendoza is the sculptor who did those great monuments at the Ayala Center of Sultan Kudarat and Gabriela Silang. He also did the relief of the map of the Philippines at the Rizal Park as well as the sculpture of the "Boy with Shell" at the Glorietta, and the "Dolphins," among others. "Jo deserves to be recognized as a National Artist," Sari remarks, "and even Anita has said she will give her support if he is nominated."

Four Paintings and a Sculpture is actually a series of one-month long exhibits, at three months intervals, featuring four artists starting with Anita Magsaysay-Ho in October, Arturo Luz in January, then Mauro "Malang" Santos, and finally, Ben Cabrera (Bencab). On exhibit at the Crucible Gallery from Oct. 18 to Nov.18 will be Anita Magsaysay-Ho’s four new major works – 36 by 20 inches, acrylics on canvas, entitled: "Kakawati Dance," "Pineapple Harvest," "Fruit Vendors" and "Banana Farm."

Because of intense interest expressed by prospective buyers, the Crucible has been hard put in holding off sale of the coveted works signed and dated 2001 by Anita Magsaysay-Ho. "Before, the only places where you can get a rare Anita Magsaysay-Ho painting would be at the annual Makati Garden Club Fund- raising auction, the Ballet Philippines auction, or at a Christie’s or a Sotheby’s Auction," Sari remarks. "Now, we have four new major works at the Crucible Gallery."