: Querencia | Raul Isidro

“Querencia” by Raul Isidro, on view at Galerie Joaquin Online

A galeriejoaquin.shop exclusive

Galerie Joaquin Online proudly presents its first solo exhibition that comprises works of highly-accomplished artistry by multi-awarded master abstractionist Raul Isidro. The online exhibition features an 8-piece collection of Isidro’s oeuvre of vibrant and splendid creations, serving as an honorable array of the artist’s blithe memoirs during the course of his life and career. With his recent successful solo exhibition and 80th birthday, the online exhibit is a continuation of Isidro’s celebration as a remarkable icon in the field of Philippine abstract art. 

“Querencia” is a Spanish word and metaphysical concept pertaining to a sanctuary or safe place. In the context of the artist’s body of work for this series, he considers his hometown of Calbayog, Western Samar as his safe space – recalling memories of nature’s treasures such as rock formations, mountains, and the ocean. Isidro depicts these treasures using his conquered technique of bold strokes, deep colors and signature forms, ever-challenging his viewers in exploring notions of spirituality, awareness, and coexistence with the world we inhabit.  

Raul Isidro (b. 1943) is a product of the Fine Arts program of the University of Santo Tomas, where he finished with a degree in Advertising. He first exhibited at Solidaridad Bookstore’s Gallery in 1969, at the invitation of National Artist for Literature and Solidaridad owner F. Sionil Jose. He has garnered multiple awards such as inclusion in 1979’s group of Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM), and the Outstanding Thomasian Award in 2006 – an honor he shares with Ramon Orlina. He also won the Cultural Grant Award from the Australian government in 1981and was a 1st prize awardee at the Printmakers Association of the Philippines Annual competition in 1972. It was also in 1972 that Isidro began what eventually became a long association with the Fine Arts program of the Philippine Women’s University (PWU), where he nurtured the department which was founded by pioneering printmaker Manuel Rodriguez Sr.

Through his tenure at PWU, where he eventually became Director of the College of Fine Arts in 1975, Isidro became heavily involved in printmaking – which also served to enhance his approach to painting. He is also a sculptor and had experimented with the use of gold leaf on canvas as a medium in the late 80’s while in the United States, but had shown it publicly only in the early 90’s.

Demonstrating his creative genius in numerous media as a professional artist, Isidro’s artistic accomplishments and creativity has been showcased in various art exhibitions locally and in foreign shores including Germany, Israel, Spain, China, the Netherlands, Australia, and the United States. He shares his time in promoting art and honing talents of next generation artists by mentoring them and oftentimes serving as a judge in local competitions.

“Querencia” will be on view at Galerie Joaquin Online on March 20, 2023, launching at 11 am PST. The online show will run until March 31. For inquiries, contact us on Instagram at @galeriejoaquinshop, or email us at galeriejoaquinonline@gmail.com.

www.galeriejoaquin.shop

8 products
  • Raul Isidro "Swing #2"
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  • Raul Isidro "Yellow Sunrise"
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  • Raul Isidro "Red Plaza"
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  • Raul Isidro "Red Landscape III"
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  • Raul Isidro "Red Curacha"
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  • Raul Isidro "Formation #3"
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  • Raul Isidro "Flights #2"
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  • Raul Isidro "Dancing Lady"
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