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Vibal Foundation, in partnership with Kalaw-Ledesma Foundation and BDO Private Bank, honors Purita Kalaw-Ledesma with the launch of "The Life and Times of Purita Kalaw-Ledesma"
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Eileen Legaspi Ramirez, Lisa Chikiamco, editor Purissima “Petty” Benitez-Johannot, and Patrick Flores posed by artist Jaime de Guzman’s portrait of Purita Kalaw-Ledesma
Only a handful of women can boast of being as seminal in the Philippine art scene as the late great Purita Kalaw-Ledesma.
Born on February 2, 1914, Kalaw-Ledesma was an art patron, writer, founder and first president of the Arts Association of the Philippines, and arguably the mother of Philippine modern art. After World War II, she kept the most extensive chronicle of the struggling of Philippine art scene; her own archive consists of 83 volumes of magazine clippings, art exhibition invitations, posters, and correspondences with artists spanning half a century.
Penned by National Gallery Singapore curator Lisa Chikiamco, University of the Philippines Department of Art Studies' Eileen Legaspi-Ramirez, and Jorge B. Vargas Museum Director Patrick Flores, The Life and Times of Purita Kalaw-Ledesma uses Kalaw-Ledesma's documents as references in painting a picture of the developing artistic community post-war and highlights Kalaw-Ledesma's contributions to the thriving art scene.
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A complementary exhibition curated by Ricky Francisco, Piecing Together: Selections and Stories from the Purita Kalaw-Ledesma Collection, was also unveiled during the book launch. The exhibition aims to ground the essays in the book from within the framework of the collection, particularly such works that are associated with the recollections lifted from the books she published, and those who knew her personally.
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Kalaw Ledesma Foundation President Ada Ledesma-Mabilangan welcomed the guests to the launch of The Life and Times of Purita Kalaw-Ledesma, Vibal Foundation’s new art book that celebrates the life of her mother.
The exhibition can be viewed in five parts. The first, in the glass vitrine closest to the entrance, provides a glimpse to Kalaw-Ledesma's personal involvement with art; as an artist herself looking at the art scene from within, and as an academic, analysing the scene in its context of the Philippine post-war, postcolonial public.
The exhibition runs until December 2017
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About
Before assuming the Art and Culture Editor position, Franz has always had a penchant for visual and performing arts. He is passionate about exploring and writing about the local cultural scene and rediscovering the country’s storied past and rich heritage. Besides working on this luxury lifestyle magazine, Franz is an avid book reader, local traveller, museum-goer, chorister, and community theatre playwright.
Work
Franz earned a degree in Journalism from the University of Santo Tomas. He writes about local visual and performing artists and their craft; drinks wines, liquors, and spirits and talks about the creativity of their respective winemakers and master blenders; tries to learn more about business and investments; respects the tradition and artistry that go behind the making of watches and jewellery; and appreciates the genius of architecture and creative design.
As head of Tatler Philippines’ pool of writers, he helps them bring impactful and socially relevant stories to light.
For any leads, you may reach him through @franzsorillaiv on Instagram or franz@tatlerphilippines.com via email.
