CHINESE NEW YEAR – YEAR OF THE TIGER

Posted on:  |  National Museum of the Philippines

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

The #NationalMuseumPH celebrates the Chinese New Year—Year of the Tiger by featuring “Fish Forms” by National Artist (NA) for Visual Arts Ang Kiukok (1931-2005) from the National Fine Arts Collection. 

The celebration of the Chinese New Year officially starts today until February 11. It is the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival in China. During this important festivity, Fish, which symbolizes an increase in surplus and wealth, is one of the dishes served at the Chinese New Year dinner. A whole fish served on the table is also believed to bring harmony and togetherness to the family. 

This oil painting by NA Ang Kiukok, completed in 1965, features four large red fishes and a small one at the center. Registered as government property in 2011, this oil painting by the National Artist can be viewed at the Pillars of Philippine Modernism Gallery, Gallery XIX of the National Museum of Fine Arts (NMFA). 

Ang Kiukok, born in Davao, was the only son among the six children of Chinese immigrants Vicente Ang and Chin Lim. From 1952 until 1954, Kiukok took art classes at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) School of Fine Arts. Galo Ocampo, Diosdado Lorenzo and National Artists Victorio Edades and Vicente Manansala became his mentors at UST. Among these esteemed artist-educators was Manansala, with whom Kiukok was closely associated. National Artist Ang Kiukok died on May 9, 2005, in Quezon City at the age of 74.

The #NationalMuseumPH joins the Filipino-Chinese community in this important festivity. We also acknowledge their significant contribution to Philippine Art. Last year, we featured “Early Spring” (ca. 1990) in plaster of Paris and “Supine” (1995) in bronze by Filipino-Chinese Artist Ting Ping Lay (1927-2021). These were donated by Mr. Alberto Juan Evangelista Avellana and Mr. Lionel Ting, the artist’s son. We aspire to acquire more works from Filipino-Chinese artists whose works significantly boosted the national collection.

You may view this artwork and other artworks of NA Ang Kiukok by reserving a slot or by accessing the 360-Virutal Tours of select NMFA exhibition galleries at the NMFA on this website.

#ChineseNewYear

#YearOfTheTiger

#OnThisDay

#MuseumFromHome

Text by NMP FAD

Photo by Bengy Toda

© National Museum of the Philippines (2022)