Rosario Bitanga - Likha - Solo Exhibition

LIKHA

ROSARIO BITANGA

SOLO EXHIBITION

SEPTEMBER 27 - OCTOBER 11, 2022

G/F Corinthian Plaza, 121 Paseo de Roxas, Legazpi Village, Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines

LIKHA

ROSARIO BITANGA

SOLO EXHIBITION

“Forest Floor”

EXHIBITION NOTES

Resolving an entire art exhibition into a single word in order to encapsulate the totality of the value and significance of the art works into a single title is a daunting task. This can be done only when all the pieces have been completed, since the act of naming is after the fact. This is a dilemma to Charito Bitanga. To her, each art work is a discrete ideation with a specific connotation, and therefore, consequence. Even variations in a series are not repetitions of the same theme, but are nuances that depict different values, that must be discerned with specificity.

The range of subject matters, too, complicates the issue. She dealt with birds, sunflowers, the moon, orchestral compositions, a song, emergence from within, moonlight on rooftops, a floating apple, a misshapen pale bottle, even the state of her mind. Then, there too is the mode of attack on the canvas that individualizes each work since treatment must be specific to the subject. There is also the way it has to be depicted in order to define the final cause of the work, and its impact on the viewer.

The resolution came by way of how she conceives of art. To her there is no such distinctions on the way art is created. There is no such thing as conservative, abstract, and non-objective/non-figurative categories the way art is described in Philippine art circles as popularized by the moguls of the Art Association of the Philippines in its infancy. To her all art is an abstraction from reality in various degrees of removal, creating a new reality of its own. To her, it is a participation in the act of divine creation. In a word, all of the paintings included in this exhibition are acts of creation — pieces of LIKHA.

Rosario Bitanga (b.1934)

Rosario Bitanga

Born in 1934, Rosario “Charito” de Lara Bitanga-Peralta's creative work was predominantly inspired by the 1950s Abstract Expressionism and Minimalism, a form of painting that explored notions of spirituality and the sublime. She is a pioneering modernist painter and arts educator, who originally hailed from Laoag, Province of Ilocos.

Bitanga first finished law at the University of Santo Tomas (UST), when she decided to pursue a career in fine arts in the same university, and continue her master’s degree at the Cranbrook Academy of Art, Michigan, USA. Very active in the Visual Arts community, Bitanga has been an officer of the Art Association of the Philippines (AAP), the Pontiac Society of Artists and Bloomfield Art Association in Michigan, the Christian Art Society of the Philippines, the Partuat Iloko Group of the Philippines of the National Museum, and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Committee of Visual Arts.

Being a stalwart in the Philippine Art scene, Bitanga would nurture the next generation of artists by teaching and eventually becoming the dean of the Fine Arts Department of the Philippine Women’s University (PWU). Although presently retired, Bitanga continues to paint, and even promote Filipina artists to this day. R. Bitanga is iconic as one of the Philippines' foremost female abstract artists.

“Fluctuations”

2021 acrylic on canvas

8" x 10" (20 cm x 25 cm)

“Women”

2015 oil on canvas

9 1/2" x 7" (24 cm x 18 cm)

“Array of Trees II”

2021

acrylic on canvas

9" x 12" (23 cm x 30 cm)

“Apples and Cider”

2021 acrylic on canvas

12" x 9" (30 cm x 23 cm)

“Forest Floor”

2021 acrylic on canvas

14" x 10" (36 cm x 25 cm)

“Tree”

2018 oil on canvas

14" x 10" (36 cm x 25 cm)

“Moonscape (Bangladesh)”

2003 oil on plywood 16" x 20" (41 cm x 51 cm)

“Sunblossom I”

2019 acrylic on canvas 24" x 24" (61 cm x 61 cm)

“Sunblossom II”

2019 acrylic on canvas 24" x 24" (61 cm x 61 cm)

“Sunblossom III”

2019 acrylic on canvas 24" x 24" (61 cm x 61 cm)

“Bodegon Verde”

2019 acrylic on canvas 24" x 24" (61 cm x 61 cm)

“Dvorak: Rusalka’s Song to the Moon”

2022 oil on canvas

26" x 20" (66 cm x 51 cm)

“Suspended Apple”

2021 acrylic on canvas

14" x 10" (36 cm x 25 cm)

“White Bottle”

2021

acrylic on canvas

10" x 8" (25 cm x 20 cm)

“Bodegon Azul”

2022

oil on canvas

24" x 18" (61 cm x 46 cm)

“Avolare 1”

2019 acrylic on canvas 24" x 30" (61 cm x 76 cm)

“Avolare 2”

2019 acrylic on canvas 24" x 30" (61 cm x 76 cm)

“Avolare 3”

2019 acrylic on canvas 24" x 30" (61 cm x 76 cm)

“Autumn Trees”

2022 oil on canvas

36" x 24" (91 cm x 61 cm)

“Moonlight Sonata”

2021 oil on canvas

40" x 30" (102 cm x 76 cm)

“Macopa and Green Tea”

2021

acrylic on canvas panel 8" x 10" (20 cm x 25 cm)

“River Moon”

2022

oil on canvas

24" x 36" (61 cm x 91 cm)

“Silim” 2022 oil on canvas 24" x 36" (61 cm x 91 cm)

“Moonlight on Rooftops”

2022

oil on canvas

36" x 48" (91 cm x 122 cm)

“From Within” 2021

oil on canvas

40" x 36" (102 cm x 91 cm)

“Windmills of My Mind”

2021

oil on canvas

48" x 36" (122 cm x 91 cm)

Water”

“Shimmering

2021 oil on canvas

48" x 36" (122 cm x 91 cm)

“Fugue in G Minor” 2021

oil on canvas 48" x 36" (122 cm x 91 cm)

“Falling Leaves”

2021 oil on canvas 48" x 36" (122 cm x 91 cm)

“Westerly Wind” 2022

oil on canvas

36" x 48" (91 cm x 122 cm)

ARTIST BIO

Rosario Bitanga

SELECTED AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS:

• 2018, The Kannawidan Award Visual Arts, The Iloko Foundation for Culture and Arts

• 2016, Philippine High School of the Arts, National Arts Center, Award for Services as member of the Advisory Council

• 2016, The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas and The University of Santo Tomas Alumni Association Inc., The Distinguished Thomasian Alumni Award

• 2016, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Certificate of Appreciation for invaluable contributions

• 2008, The Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE) National Competition, Plaque of Appreciation, Sculpture

Category

• 2006, The Philippine Women's University, Meritorious Achievement Award

• 2005, The Philippine Women's University, Meritorious Achievement Award, For nomination as National Artist for Visual Arts

• 2005, The Mother's Day and Father's Day Foundation Inc., The Ulirang Ina Sectoral Awardee for Culture and Art

• 2005, Orric Decenter Management Services Philippines, Recognition for uncompromising support in the "Palosa Arte 2005" Art Competition

• 2005, The Philippine Women's University, PWU Sportsfest, 1st PWU President's Cup, 1st Runner Up, Table Tennis

• 2004, The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas and The University of Santo Tomas Alumni Association Inc., The Outstanding Thomasian Alumna Award in the field of Visual Arts

• 2004, The Rotary International District 3810, District Interact Lantern Contest, Certificate of Appreciation for Participation as Judge

• 2003, The Philippine Women's University, Contributing, Achieving Philwomenians Awards (CAPA), For nomination as National Artist for Visual Arts

• 2001, The Philippine Women's University, Meritorious Achievement Award, in the field of Philippine Abstract Art

• 2001, Republic of the Philippines, Lungsod ng Maynila, Tanggapan ng Alkalde, Ang Parangal Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan sa Larangan ng Pintura

• 2001, The Philippine Tuberculosis Society Inc., Design of 2001 TB Christmas Seals entitled "People Power II in the Eyes of Filipino Artists", Plaque of Appreciationt

• 2001, The Miriam College (Formerly Mayknoll College), The 75th Anniversary, Chi Rho Award

• 2000, Municipality of Sarrat, Ilocos Norte, The "Millenium Role Model Award for Visual Art"

• 1999, National Centennial Commission - Women Sector, Manila in Celebration of The Centennial of Declaration of Philippine Independence, Award for Kababaihang Makasaysayan sa Larangan ng Sining at Kalinangan

• 1999, National Centennial Commission - Women Sector, Manila in Celebration of The Centennial of Declaration of Philippine Independence, Award for contributions to the Culture and Arts, Dedication to Visual Arts, and Services to the Philippines

• 1999, Metrobank Foundation Inc., 1999 National Painting Competition, Plaque of Appreciation

• 1998, The Reca Glass Corporation, In Grateful Recognition of Valuable Support, Plaque of Appreciation

• 1995, University of Santo Tomas, College of Architecture and Fine Arts, Certificate of Appreciation for Contributions

• 1994, Republic of the Philippines, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Certificate of Participation in the NCCA Culture Summit

• 1993, Postal Card Collection "Artist and Masters of the 20th Century", published by Les Editions Arts et Images Du Monde , Paris, France, "Moonleaves" Signature Painting

• 1993, Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh 1993, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Dhaka

• 1991, The Youth Center Inc., Manila Award of Merit and Appreciation

• 1991, The World Who's Who of Women, Cambridge, England Certificate of Merit for Distinguished Services

• 1990, National Museum and the Arte Etnika, People's Art Certificate of Participation for Active Involvement

• 1989, School of Education, MEDU On the Spot Painting Contest, Judge

• 1989, Torres High School Class 1955 Foundation Inc., Certificate of Appreciation for Invaluable Contributor as Juror in "The On-the-Spot-Competition"

• 1987, Art for Ecology Painting Exhibition, Light Foundation, Cultural Center of the Philippines, Finalist

• 1986, Torch Art Club, School of Education, Manuel L. Quezon University, Plaque of Appreciation (For Art Lessons to club members and fourth year high school students and for serving as Judge in a series of Art contests)

• 1981, Young Women's Christian Association of Manila, Award for being a Patron in the 1981 Membership Roll Call

• 1977, Philippine High School for the Arts, Mataas na Paaralan para sa Sining, Certificate of Excellence

• 1965, Government Participation Committee, Fourth Centennial Celebration of the Christianization of the Philippines, Certificate of Appreciation for Invaluable Contributions

• 1963, Semi-Annual Art Exhibition, Art Association of the Philippines (AAP), First Honorable Mention, Painting

• 1960, 13th Annual Art Exhibition, Art Association of the Philippines (AAP), First Honorable Mention, Sculpture

• 1960, 13th Annual Art Exhibition, Art Association of the Philippines (AAP), Diploma of Award, Honorable Mention, Sculpture, FAMILE

• 1959, Pontiac Society of the Artists, Pontiac, Michigan, Third Prize

• 1958, The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, Atelier Alumni Association Inc., Outstanding Alumni Award, Painting Batch 1958

• 1958, University of Santo Tomas, College of Fine Arts, First Honorable Mention, Landscaping

• 1958, University of Santo Tomas, College of Fine Arts, First Honorable Mention, Composition

• 1958, University of Santo Tomas, College of Fine Arts, First Prize, Portraiture

• 1958, University of Santo Tomas, College of Fine Arts, Second Prize, Composition

• 1958, Art Association of the Philippines (AAP), First Prize, Water Color Painting, Landscape

• 1957, Shell Company of the Philippines, Seventh National Students Art Competition, Third Prize

• 1957, University of Santo Tomas, College of Fine Arts, Third Prize, Life Painting

Acknowledgments

Romana Go

A Joint Project of León Gallery International and DF Art Agency

León

DF Art Agency

G/F Corinthian Plaza, 121 Paseo de Roxas, Legazpi Village, Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines

G/F Corinthian Plaza, 121 Paseo de Roxas, Legazpi Village, Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines