Lao Lianben's book launch yields new auction record

1.7 million. 1.7 million. Do I hear 1.8? Go-ing once at 1.7 million. Going… Going… Gone! Sold for P1.7 million!”

Those were the words of Dr. Leo Garcia who served as the auctioneer at the recent book launch of Lao Lianben’s No Past No Present. As part of the program, Lao generously put up for auction one of his masterpieces — “Elements of Light” — for the benefit of the National Book Store Foundation.

Imagine: P1.7 million. For a four-by-three-foot painting by Lao. That’s a new record.

The auction was preceded by the event’s main program, which was hosted by National Book Store’s merchandise director for books Xandra Ramos-Padilla. She had onstage interviews with four luminaries in their fields who have taken part in the development of No Past No Present. The aforementioned Dr. Leo Garcia, who is an avid Lao collector and a dean at the Ateneo de Manila University, was joined by artist-critic-writer Cid Reyes, ace photographer Neal Oshima and Blanc Gallery owner Jay Amante.

No Past No Present is a unique concept where a collection of 100 small works by the artist have been cataloged in a book that reproduces them in their actual size. This allows the reader to “own” every painting in the collection and experience them in a virtual gallery in the comforts of his own home. No Past No Present is therefore both an art exhibit and a book.

In this interview, The Philippine STAR had a chance to sit down with Lao Lianben. He is a man of very few words who shuns the limelight and rarely gives interviews. Interestingly, his art is a perfect reflection of his personality — soft-spoken yet extremely intelligent. 

NBS’s Anton Ramos, Xandra Ramos-Padilla and Miguel Ramos

What people will see in this brief interview is that the unguarded and private Lao is not how he is in large public events. He has said that he has tried many times to speak to reporters or large crowds but he never does well. But in reality, Lao is funny and self-deprecating, humble and extremely generous, and he will always be the first to deflect praise and credit to other people.

PHILIPPINE STAR: Explain the title No Past No Present.

LAO LIANBEN: Cid Reyes is such a good art writer that he was able to explain No Past No Present so eloquently at the end of the book. (Note: At the end of the book, Cid Reyes writes “For such an artist, there is no history. No past, no present.” Lao Lianben has reduced time to a continuum of consciousness.)

The book has a very unique concept. How did you come up with it?

Jay Amante of Blanc Gallery proposed the concept and when we had finally found time to sit down and talk, interesting ideas started to develop organically. Jay had this good sense of getting together Cid Reyes, Neal Oshima, and Aman Santos. These three individuals can really do wonders, you know. They have this capacity of understanding, of what they are capable of doing. I felt so privileged by just talking with them!

Is this the first book published about your artwork?

No, but this is the first book that has no reproduction of my painting upside down!

Are you considering a book that catalogs all your past works?

What for? I still try to work on past ideas, still trying to crystallize them visually, you know. I am not yet done.

You are more known for larger artworks. Was it any easier or harder to do such small pieces?

You pay the same attention to big and small works.

Does your approach to small pieces change as opposed to big pieces?

There are concepts that look good in big format and there are ideas that look better in small size. I worked through mistakes, big or small.

You seem to be equally comfortable working on small or big pieces. Why do some artists find it difficult to scale their work (either bigger or smaller)?

Painting is not a comfortable activity, big or small sizes. It’s always a big battleground or a small battleground.

What made you decide to contribute an artwork for auction for the benefit of the NBS Foundation?

I believe a nation will become great through good education, good teachers, and good books; then all children will grow up with the right way of thinking.

What artists (foreign or local) do you admire or look up to? Who served as your inspiration?

A lot of artists have inspired me. I am like a sponge trying to absorb everything, and trying to throw away everything.

There are so many young artists now who are trying to make it big in the art scene. What’s your advice for them?

The process of becoming an artist and the realizations of who you are takes a lifetime of work. One does not consciously try to make it big. In the art scene, you know, that’s not a good reason why you want to become an artist. At some point you have to choose between popularity and being good. 

What’s your advice for students who are considering a career as an artist? Is this a profession they should pursue?

I remember the first day in our painting class. There were around eight of us. Mr. Concepcion walked in and the first thing he said was, “Nobody can teach you painting. It’s either you have it or you don’t.” (Laughs) If you have it in your blood, nobody can stop you. And if you don’t, no amount of encouragement can help you.

What is the secret to being a successful artist?

There is no formula or secrets to being a successful artist. No guarantee, even. It’s a blessing and a curse to have this thing in your blood! You are possessed and you have to bring it out to have some meaning in your waking hours. 

What’s next for Lao Lianben?

No idea, just painting.

* * *

“No Past No Present” runs at Blanc Gallery from March 13 to April 3. The book No Past No Present is available at National Book Store, Powerbooks and Blanc Gallery. 

For comments, e-mail me at omniumg@yahoo.com.