Things You Might Not Know About Ang Kiukok: The National Artist's Values, Famous Paintings, and More

His unparalleled contribution to the Philippine contemporary art scene confirms the saying "art disturbs the comfortable and comforts the disturbed". Read on to know more about the life of Ang Kiukok, the 2001 National Artist for Visual Arts

In the Philippine art scene, it is impossible to miss the works of cubist, surrealist, and expressionist painter Ang Kiukok. In his decades-long stay in the industry, he was able to come up with the most intriguing yet equally compelling paintings that have been praised by critics and artists alike.

Ang Kiukok was conferred the National Artist for Visual Arts in 2001, and continued to exhibit his works until his death on May 9, 2005 in Quezon City, the Philippines. In this write-up, Tatler honours the artist by listing five interesting of his most interesting biographical facts.

1. His painting "The Fishermen" was once the highest ever paid at an artwork auction in the Philippines

Above Ang Kiukok's "The Fishermen" (1981) / Leon Gallery

In June 2017, the Leon Art Gallery announced that Ang Kiukok's The Fishermen (1981) has become the most expensive painting ever sold at an art auction in the Philippines. The painting fetched a whopping closing bid of PHP65,408,000.

The auction, which was attended by 300 guests, saw some of the greatest names in the local art scene; besides Ang Kiukok, the works of National Artist Vicente Manansala, Jose Joya, Fabian dela Rosa, and Fernando Zobel were also in the event.

Tatler Trivia: As of 2021, the most expensive painting sold at an auction is Anita Magsaysay-Ho's Tinapa Vendors which has set a world record of PHP84 million from its auction at the Leon Gallery.

2. A college dropout

Above 'Thinking Man' by Ang Kiukok, 1981, oil on canvas / Salcedo Auctions

In 1952, Ang Kiukok entered the prestigious University of Santo Tomas' College of Architecture and Fine Arts, birthplace of the modernist art movement in the Philippines pioneered by Victorio Edades and his contemporaries. The artist took up art studies until he dropped out in 1954 due to financial problems.

This problem did not stop Ang Kiukok. In 1954, he had his first solo show at the Contemporary Art Gallery. This was immediately followed by another show at the Philippine Art Gallery 1 in 1956. In 1958, his works were chosen and displayed in Taipei.

3. He would have had a different name

Above 'Mother and Child' by Ang Kiukok, 1991, oil on canvas / Salcedo Auctions

Ang Kiukok was the only son in the family. His name was originally intended to be Ang Hua Shing which translates to "Chinese-born". However, this did not push through after his parents learnt that the name was already given to his cousin.

Tatler Trivia: The artist was named "Ang Kiukok" which translates to "save the country" out of his father's fear of Manchurians invading China.

4. His first formal recognition was at the 1953 Shell National Students Art Competition

Above 'Android' by Ang Kiukok, 1969, mixed media / Leon Gallery

In 1955, Ang Kiukok bagged the third prize at the 5th Shell National Students Art Competition for Calesa. From then on, the artist received more prestigious awards from the Art Association of the Philippines for crafts such as The Bird (1959), Fish (1968), and Still Life in Red (1963). The National Commission for Culture and the Arts eventually described Ang Kiukok as "one of the most vital and dynamic figures who emerged during the 1960s".

Critics classified Ang Kiukok's art as "figurative expressionism," this comment stemmed from the violence portrayed by his works before the 1980s. The artist preferred to highlight subjects such as vicious dogs, battling cocks, the miseries of Jesus Christ, and men consumed by anger.

Open your eyes. Look at you. So much rage, sadness, ugliness, and insanity, too

- Ang Kiukok -

Above Jesus falls for the second time (Photo: Auction Zip)

During the Marcos regime, the National Artist has painted more brutal photographs; when asked why he was always filled with so much anger, he replied:

" Why not? Open your eyes. Look at you. So much rage, sadness, ugliness, and insanity, too."

5. Mentored by Vicente Manansala

Above Vicente Manansala mentored Ang Kiukok (Photo: Wikiart)

During his stay at the University of Santo Tomas, Ang Kiukok met his good friend and mentor National Artist for Painting (1981) Vicente Manansala. The former assisted Manansala in the completion of the Stations of the Cross for the Church of the Holy Sacrifice in the University of the Philippines, Diliman.

Manansala was the one who truly led Ang Kiukok to the path of modernism. He once told Ang Kiukok to focus his energies somewhere else as the former was already skilled in realism.

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A College Dropout Turned National Artist: Here's 5 Things You May Not Know About Ang Kiukok

1. His painting "The Fishermen" was once the highest ever paid at an artwork auction in the Philippines

2. A college dropout

3. He would have had a different name

4. His first formal recognition was at the 1953 Shell National Students Art Competition

5. Mentored by Vicente Manansala