Nemi Miranda鈥檚 pure imagination
鈥淚 LOOKED at people, I try to imagine them, and draw them from memory. I never use pictures because I hate pictures,鈥 painter Nemi R. Miranda, Jr. said about his creative process. 鈥淲hat you see my painting is the product of my soul.鈥
The products of his soul are currently on view at the Conrad Manila, which, in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DoT) Region IV-A Calabarzon, launched Nemi Miranda: Visual Diary in Pure Imagination, the 8th exhibit of its Of Art and Wine series, at the hotel鈥檚 Gallery C.
Mr. Miranda earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the University of Santo Tomas and went on to found the Angono Ateliers Association in 1975. He then set up the Nemiranda Art House Family Museum to promote art in his hometown.
Known as the 鈥淔ather of Imaginative Figurism,鈥 Mr. Miranda observes people and their surroundings in his hometown of Angono, Rizal as inspiration for his artworks. After a 50-year career, he said that drawing figures 鈥渃omes very easy鈥 for him, adding that he has mastered the angles and the way the body moves.
The Conrad exhibit features works depicting Philippine folklore, everyday life, and historical events with themes of love, trials and successes, and the environment.
Growing up, Mr. Miranda was influenced by the murals of Carlos 鈥淏otong鈥 Francisco and comics of Francisco V. Coching — both National Artists — which is evident in his works featuring farming, fishing, and historical events.
He was also inspired by the folk tales he was told by his grandparents. 鈥淚f you tell me a story, I can already imagine the figure and the message I want to implore,鈥 the artist told members of the press during the exhibit鈥檚 launch on April 10.
On a contemporary note, for this exhibit Mr. Miranda presents his Homecoming series depicting scenes from the 2017 siege of Marawi. 鈥淚 want to be a visual historian of my time,鈥 he said.
After a walk through the exhibit, one notes the persistent presence of a bird — which the artist noted is himself. 鈥淸When] you see all my paintings, there is a bird. I am the soul inside the painting,鈥 he said.
Nemi Miranda: Visual Diary in Pure Imagination is on view at Gallery C in Conrad Manila until June 10. For further details, call 833-9999, or e-mail [email protected]. — Michelle Anne P. Soliman
