Baldemor exhibits fine assortment of paintings, gives one away

Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Jakartans may have the privilege of enjoying -- even if they can afford, they can own one -- the works of the Philippines' prolific artist Manuel "Manny" Baldemor at his solo exhibition held from Feb. 18 through Feb. 24.

The exhibition in the lobby of the ASEAN Secretariat on Jl. Sisingamangaraja, South Jakarta displays more than 60 of Baldemor's acrylic, watercolor and oil paintings.

The Jakarta exhibition is his 128th solo exhibition since 1972.

"It's my first solo exhibition here in Indonesia but previously I had a group exhibition with other Southeast Asian painters," Baldemor said at the opening of the exhibition on Friday.

"Actually, I was invited to have a solo exhibition here five years ago. But then I was busy traveling in Europe," he said.

Less than an hour after the exhibition opened, at least a dozen paintings had been reserved for purchase, including the largest painting in the exhibition, which Wilfrido Villacorta, the deputy of the secretary-general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, had shown interest in.

"I have lowered my usual price here because some of the proceeds will go to the tsunami victims in Aceh," Baldemor said, quoting that prices started from US$300 for a small painting.

Many of the paintings show the life of Filipino villagers, others depict scenes of Bali, and colorful landscapes that verge on the abstract are an impressive addition.

Baldemor has been to Bali three times when he learned about Balinese sculpture and wood carvings while also painting.

"When traveling, I mostly use watercolors," he said referring to the Bali paintings.

Baldeamor has a passion for traveling. He has visited 57 countries since 1975. Visiting new places gives him the opportunity to observe and absorb the different ambiences of other countries and finally express what he sees on canvas.

Now he is in Jakarta, thanks to the ASEAN Women's Circle (AWC), which invited him to participate in the Philippine programs.

"I've visited the ASEAN Gallery here, and only saw one painting from a Filipino painter. So I have decided to donate to the gallery the other large painting that I brought with me," he said.