Cory Aquino’s Paintings

One of Cory Aquino’s paintings will be sold in an auction, under the auspices of Leon Gallery in Makati, on Sept. 12, 2015. This is the first time ever that the former president’s paintings will be auctioned. The painting which is an untitled oil on wood, has a starting bid at P120,000 and according to one art connoisseur because the painting is a Cory Aquino, it is likely to get sold at least five times the starting bid.

The report also hailed Cory Aquino as not just an icon of democracy but will probably go down in history as also a celebrated artist.

With all due respect to the former president and what she has done to the country. The sad truth about it, her paintings are getting sold because it was done by someone famous like her. If it was not from her, no one would care about it.

Because the artworks just look ordinary, it is mostly colorful flowers and pots. So ordinary that someone else can do it. So ordinary that it is not contributing any new forms or opening up new discussions about Filipino art. If you put this artwork beside Cebuano contemporary artists such as Ronyel Compra or Wyndelle Remonde, it would not stand a chance.

But again, people will buy this painting and that is normal because former president Cory Aquino is indeed an icon of democracy and who would not want something made by an icon of democracy.

What is not normal is to celebrate her as an artist. Again, her works are getting sold because of her name not because of its artistic qualities. Not everyone who paints is an artist. We can call her a painter and that sounds fine because learning how to paint is not easy.

So even if the painting gets sold at the 500,000 mark, let’s always remember the president for what she truly deserves to be – an icon of democracy, the mother of Kris Aquino/ Pres. Noynoy and that’s about it.

About the author: N.M. CABANGBANG or “BANGBANG” has been writing about events, art and culture for MetroCebuNews since June 2014. He is a graduate of Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Painting at the University of the Philippines Cebu and was the chairperson for two major student organizations, namely Fine Arts Student Organization (1997-1998) and Nagkahiusang Kusug sa Estudyante political party (1998-1999).

Since 2010, he has been an ART teacher for grade 6-10 at B.R.I.G.H.T. Academy.

He is also the singer/songwriter of the rock & roll band PALTIK which has released their self-produced album, “Here Come the Guns of the South”. He is happily married to his beautiful and talented wife, Rizza Del Castillo –Cabangbang and lives with their three beloved dogs: Choknut, Cream-O and Moby.