FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila – Renowned Filipino artist Nemesio Miranda Jr. opens his art exhibit as a tribute to soldiers at the Philippine Army Museum today, March 11, 2019.
Nemiranda, as he is also known, will open the part two of his series exhibit entitled “Tribute to Filipino Soldiers – Homecoming Series” following last year’s “Marawi in the Eyes of an Artist” wherein he made 35 paintings about Marawi. He is also the artist behind the Philippine Army Murals located at the Hunters ROTC Parade Grounds at the Army Headquarters which was inaugurated on March 22, 1975 in commemoration of the Army’s 78th Founding Anniversary.
The exhibit highlights mixed-media paintings that depict individual soldiers and their unique sacrifices that led to the success of the operations in Marawi. Images of soldiers coming home to the families they left when they fought for the liberation of the city and soldiers working to rebuild the city form the ruins are featured in Nemiranda’s works.
His other notable works include the mural of Edsa People Power Revolution and the Edsa Dos at the outdoor walls of Edsa Shrine as well as 20 relief sculptures of the Mysteries of the Holy Rosary from EDSA Shrine to Antipolo Shrine.
Nemiranda’s hometown of Angono, Rizal recognized him as the “Father of Imaginative Figurism and Angono’s Living Treasure” for his contributions to the art community. In 1975, he co-founded the Angono Atelier Association where younger artisans had the chance to learn from him. He also established the Nemiranda Family Art Museum, Angono School for the Arts and the Nemiranda Café. He is a strong supporter of Angono’s tourism industry serving as the chairman of its tourism council in the past and as promoter of the famous Higantes Festival.
The Army, whose history dates back to the Katipunan, frequently uses insignias and other art forms to establish its identity and tell stories of the heroism of its men and women. Art can be seen in symbols of ranks and seals of various Army units, and even the medals and other decorations awarded to soldiers.
The Philippine Army Chief of Staff, Maj. Gen. Jesus B. Sarsagat, thanked Nemiranda for his tribute. “This sincere expression of appreciation for the Filipino soldiers is enough to boost our spirits and inspire us to do better, and to do more, to be the best Army that our people can be proud of,” he added.#
