Birth Anniversary of Pacita Abad

Posted on:  |  National Museum of the Philippines

The National Museum of the Philippines joins in commemorating the 76th birth anniversary of Pacita Abad. Born in Batanes on this day in 1946, she had to leave the Philippines in 1969 due to political turmoil. She decided to remain in San Francisco to paint and later pursued painting in the Corcoran School of Art in Washington, D.C., and the Art Students League of New York. Pacita was a well-traveled artist, drawing inspiration from her travels in Mexico, India, Afghanistan, Thailand, Laos, and Indonesia. A prolific artist in various media like ceramics, glass, and fabric, she was inspired by their local art forms’ vibrancy and intricate patterns and took the time to learn their art traditions and practices. She even developed a technique called trapunto painting, a quilting method that involved layering quilted material with various objects such as glass, shells, and mirrors to give it a three-dimensional effect. Her art’s subject matter is diverse, ranging from landscapes to sociopolitical commentaries.

Featured today from the National Fine Arts Collection, is an oil on canvas painting by Pacita Abad entitled “Horseshoe Drive” created in 1983. You may view this artwork at the GSIS Northwest Wing Hallway Gallery, Third Floor, National Museum of Fine Arts. Her masterpieces are also part of the collection of museums located in the Philippines and in countries such as Australia, Bulgaria, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Japan, Jordan, Indonesia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the USA. 

Follow this page for more features from the National Fine Arts Collection. The #NationalMuseumPH is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Entrance is free!

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Article and photo by the NMP Fine Arts Division. With contributions from Museum Volunteer Mikaela Reyes.

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