The University of the Philippines Visayas Museum of Art and Cultural Heritage (MACH) features the rarely seen drawings by National Artist for Painting Jose Joya (1931-1995) from the University’s art collection in a new exhibition at the Hanas Changing Exhibition Gallery 2.
Joya, who is best known for his abstract oil, acrylic, and mixed media paintings, was also prolific in drawing.
Joya played a significant role in the development of art in Iloilo. By conducting a drawing workshop in the then UP College Iloilo in May 1975, he sparked a renewed interest in the visual arts. In fact, Joya was one of the first major modernist artists to visit Iloilo and Negros and urged the local artists to organize.
With the international travel ban during Martial Law, Joya extensively travelled within the Philippines. His multiple visits to Iloilo, Negros, and Antique resulted in numerous drawings of the architecture, landscapes, and people of these places, several of which are on display in this exhibition.
UPV has acquired a significant number of Joya’s drawings through purchases and donations.
The exhibition, titled “Hiyas – Drawings by Jose Joya, National Artist,” is curated by Prof. Martin Genodepa. (UPV-OICA)
