Renaissance Art Gallery proudly presents the second iteration of Streamlined: The Art of National Artist Arturo Luz at the Art Center, SM Megamall. Curated by artist-critic Cid Reyes, Streamlined II highlights Luz’s rich and enduring legacy, showcasing his unwavering commitment to impeccable design and disciplined use of color.
In 1951, distinguished art and literary critic Recaredo Demetillo wrote, “I must draw attention to the work of Arturo Rogerio Luz. His forms are alive and distinguished; he understands abstraction and austerity, the sense of space and balance. He distorts with intuitive rightness and grace. In other words, he is a real artist.”
At just 17, Luz—later named National Artist in 1997—was already exploring painting, drawn to the simplicity and essential nature of form. His first work was a portrait of his mother, renowned interior designer Rosario Dimayuga Luz. As a figurative painter, Luz was inspired by Mexican artist Rufino Tamayo, known for his spare, elongated forms. This influence helped Luz develop his own vocabulary of shapes using plastic lines. He also drew inspiration from Swiss artist Paul Klee, who famously described a line as “taking a dot for a walk.” This influence is evident in Luz’s linear depictions of cyclists, musicians, carnival performers, and still lifes of boxes, Oriental ceramics, jars, bowls, and shells.
By limiting his subject matter, Luz delved into the elegance of visual simplicity, precision, and spatial balance. He began using non-traditional materials like burlap and laminated plywood, and even created a church altar mosaic from broken tiles.
Luz later transitioned to pure abstraction through collage, allowing him to focus on form, surface, and the visual tension of perfectly balanced compositions.
In the early 1980s, Luz expanded his artistic scope during travels across Asia and India. These journeys inspired imaginary landscapes filled with temples, palaces, fortifications, and battlements—transformed into linear symphonies in monochromatic tones accented by earthy hues: chrome yellow, dark mustard, cardinal red, burnt sienna, bronze, and brown.
Beyond his artistry, Luz demonstrated administrative prowess as manager of the Luz Gallery, the Museum of Philippine Art, the Metropolitan Museum, and the Design Center of the Philippines.
His most lasting contribution may be his transformation of the Filipino artistic sensibility—from festive and flamboyant to restrained and dispassionate.
A limited edition monograph—designed and laid out by Dopy Doplon, with photography by Wig Tysmans—will accompany the exhibit.
Streamlined II runs from June 3 to June 16 at the Art Center, SM Megamall, 4/F Building A, corner of EDSA and Julia Vargas Avenue, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila.
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