On the 72^nd birthday of sculptor Agnes Arellano, the #NationalMuseumPh features this sculpture by the artist born #OnThisDay in 1949. 

Born in San Juan, Rizal, in 1949, Agnes Arellano belonged to a prominent family of architects. She studied psychology at the University of the Philippines. After she graduated in 1971, she took up further studies and enrolled in a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology at the Ateneo de Manila. During the Martial Law, the government imposed a strict travel ban. The government allowed pilgrimages to the sacred sites in Europe during the Holy Roman Catholic Year. During her travels to Europe, she was exposed to western art.  She was inspired by the works of master artists like Michelangelo and Van Gogh. Upon her return to the Philippines, she studied Fine Arts majoring in sculpture in 1979 under National Artist Napoleon Abueva, a pioneering modernist in sculpture.  She was also greatly influenced by conceptual artist Roberto Chabet. Since her artistic career started, Arellano has exhibited here and abroad in Berlin, Fukuoka, Havana, Johannesburg, New York, Brisbane, and Singapore. 

Arellano is best known for making surrealist and life-size expressionist sculptures primarily in plaster. Her works focus on feminist issues and show how women are traditionally portrayed by reinterpreting local myths. 

The National Museum takes pride in Arellano’s work, “Eshu,” which is currently on exhibition at the Philippine Modern Sculptures Hall (Gallery XXIX) of the National Museum of Fine Arts. Eshu, in African traditions, most especially with the Nigerian belief, is the Lord of the Crossroads or God of Fate. This volcanic cinder and cold-cast marble is a fantasy self-portrait cast and directly modeled by the artist. 

The Philippine Modern Sculptures Hall is temporarily closed to give way to an upgraded exhibition. Watch out for updates on this page and follow our official Twitter and Instagram accounts. 

We are open! Reserve your slot and visit the other galleries at the National Museum of Fine Arts (NMFA).  View the 360 Virtual Tour of the nine select galleries at the NMFA through this website.

#OnThisDay

#AgnesArellano

#MuseumFromHome

Text and photo by NMP FAD

© National Museum of the Philippines (2021)

Today’s #DignayanBiyernes features one of the 10 deadliest minerals in the world – galena.  

Galena is the primary ore of lead and has a chemical composition of PbS or lead sulfide.  It often contains silver and occurs in close association with antimony, copper, and zinc. The lead in dust particles of galena is toxic when inhaled or ingested but generally safe to handle when there are no dust particles present.  

It exhibits perfect cleavage, has a bright metallic luster and distinct silver color. It tarnishes to a dull gray and has a specific gravity of 7.4 t0 7.6.

Galena is a natural semiconductor and is used in electronic gadgets and medical equipment we have today. It is also used in making batteries, cable covering, plumbing, ammunition, as a sound absorber, and as a radiation shield in x-ray equipment and nuclear reactors.  It is also used in paints although with health hazards.

Galena deposits are found worldwide in various environments.  In the Philippines, it is found in the provinces of Agusan del Sur, Apayao, Batangas, Benguet, Camarines Norte, Davao de Oro, Ifugao, Kalinga, Marinduque, Negros Oriental, Quirino, Rizal, Samar, South Cotabato, Zambales, Zamboanga del Norte, and Zamboanga del Sur.

If you want to know more about galena and other interesting minerals, you may book a tour at the National Museum of Natural History by visiting our website www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph. 

#GetVaccinated

#BeatCOVID19

Text and image by the NMP Geology and Paleontology Division

© National Museum of the Philippines (2021)

Legarda Elementary School

Did you know that there’s a species of sea snail that decorates its own shell? Learn more about this remarkable bunch of snails for today’s #WildlifeWednesday.

Sea shells come in many shapes, form, color, and sizes which make them adorned by many. We can’t deny that sea shells are one of the beauties of the sea and for many years, people have been collecting shells for ornaments and for display. 

The Carrier Shells, a family of gastropods, are known for their shells decorated with hard marine debris such as coral pieces, other shells, shell fragments, and stones. One example of species of carrier shell is the Pallid Carrier Shell which is found in the Philippines and other parts of the Pacific and Indian ocean.

As the snail grows, it attaches hard marine debris to the outer side of the shell. Attaching one fragment takes a lot of process and time. The snail will look for the right fragment and place it in the right position. It will then hold the fragment and apply a special glue produced by their body to cement the new attachment. This process takes about 1 and a half hours to complete. The snail will then rock back and forth to test the new attachment and stop moving for about 10 hours and wait for the adhesive to dry.

Their decorative shell serves many purposes. Having hard attachments helps the snail stay in the right position to prevent them from flipping and exposing their vulnerable side to predators, and adds another layer of armor to their thin shell. Another purpose is for them to look like a pile of coral debris and shells which thereby help them blend with their surroundings and make them difficult to spot especially when not moving. 

To avoid risk of ecosystem damage and to protect organisms that rely on shells (even shell fragments) for their survival, let us leave seashells in the seashores and avoid buying seashell handicraft products.

#MuseumFromHome

#SeaShells

#CarrierShell

Text and photo by the NMP Zoology Division

© National Museum of the Philippines (2021)

Ancient Burial Spaces and Places

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