Sunday, May 04, 2008 A closer look at young visual artist Ronald Salazar
IT HAS been almost five months or so when dear friend Andy Alviz introduced me to a young Kapampangan artist based in Manila. The artist was Ronald B. Salazar, a visual artist (Sculpture and Painting) who made art works for the Miss Saigon Choreographer in a couple of instances. Andy said it would be a waste of opportunity if I would not see the artist and his works. We tried to arrange an amicable time to meet, but Ronald's many commitments and my utterly, monotonous work did not permit an early meet.
It was only last week that Ronald and I had a chance to meet in Angeles City. The meet was a tour to his commissioned works in a million-peso house in one subdivision here. What really caught my attention was that Ronald was indeed young but his works are mature pieces like those of seasoned artists. Ronald's craft is very much flexible, executing artworks of realistic genres. He also does abstract works with the expertise and mastery of a middle aged artist. The lines and strokes of his work, though delicate, strike a visual contrast creating a tempered artwork. Ronald also does sculptures on glass and glass bottles. He can easily create an ensemble of an abstract image in a kaleidoscope of colors and visual lighting.
Being educated in an early age in Pampanga, Ronald moved to Manila and took up an art course of Studio Arts at the University of the Philippines Diliman, specializing in Painting. His early exposure and immersion in the art scene has gained for him a couple of feathers for his cap. He was Grand prize Winner at the 54th Art Association of the Philippines Annual Art Competition in 2001 (Sculpture Category), 1st Honorable Mention at the Shell National Student's Art Competition in 1998, and 1st honorable Mention at the UST Annual On-the-spot Painting Competition in 2001.
He also gained corporate and institutional reorganizations like the Honorable Mention at the Westin Philippine Plaza On-the-spot Painting Competition in 2001, Featured at the Development Bank of the Philippines millennium calendar for 2000, Finalist at the Art Association of the Philippines Semi Annual Abstract Competition in 2006 and 2nd place at the Colegio de San Lorenzo Linggo ng Wika On-the-spot painting Contest 1994, among others.
Ronald has exhibited his works in galleries and events both in Manila and the province and also served as an apprentice to the founder of the Art Movement "Assertionism", Mr. Rene Robles. His works had made their way into houses of the "silent rich" and high profile collectors.
"It is difficult to be young artists and concentrate fully in your craft," Ronald, who takes his craft as a full time passion said, while showing his works. He describes his art as unique and moving, a craft that he said could easily stand out from art conventionalities.
True enough, he believes that the artist does not create the art but rather it is the art that creates the artist, art that drives the artist to define what art really means. For a view of his beautiful works visit him at ronald_bottle_art@yahoo.com or call 0928-438-50-44.
For comments, suggestions, violent reactions, invites, hate-mails, indignant rebuttals and what-have-you email the author at ianocampoflora@yahoo.com or call 09275425466.
