Rudolphus Thorpe is no stranger to the art world. He is known internationally for his unique, exquisite scuptured paintings.
A self-taught artist, his works serenade us with simple but elegant lines, silhouettes, and elongated figures on canvas. He paints pictures that “Breathe life into the soul.”

Viewing the art of Rodolphus is like reading textured poetry. His use of colors and enigmatic shapes reach out towards our being inviting us to touch back, to give back. Verse for verse and soul to soul.

It was only by a serendipitous accident that we discovered this fresh new artist from the Philippines. By some stroke of fickle fate, the art event which we really planned to attend that night in March was canceled. We were already in Tribeca so why not drop by Ico Gallery instead? They were opening this “New Motions of the Figure” exhibit where they will feature the works of sculptor Blake Ward along with other artists from around the globe.

Ico Gallery was full. There were some media around. We circled that night’s collection and we were transfixed by a face of a girl hanging on the wall. There were butterflies fluttering across her face. A simple yet arresting composition. “Winged Friends” is just one of Maria  Pureza Escaño’s  works which best represents the character of her art. Pure, unassuming, soulful, her works give the viewer a glimpse of life’s simple but profound essence. We listened to the buzz of the crowd and sure enough, the works of the Filipina artist had the same effect on them.

What we like about Maria’s works is that they remind us of what real art should be. Genuine expression. Her art do not seek to impress through painstakingly studied techniques but is nevertheless impressive  because each stroke seem to spring spontaneously from an irrepressively hopeful heart. Viewing her art rewards one’s soul with new inspirations to see beauty in even the most ordinary of life’s occurences. And we leave with our spirits refreshed eager to see the way her heart’s eye sees the beauty of life’s moments.

Fionna McBride/ The Art Catalyst/ New York

The figurative and surreal art of Philippine-based international artist Maria Pureza Escaño will be the main feature of the Sacredness of Life collective exhibition to be held from July 17 – August 4, 2009 at the FPOP Bldg, New Manila, Quezon City, Philippines.

Spearheaded by the Family Planning Organization of the Philippines, “Sacredness of Life” gears to promote and uphold life’s sanctity and clear the organization’s stand about the rights of the unborn.

Among Escaño’s works which will be featured are three of of her newest paintings – “Sunchild”, “Madonna of the Lake” and “Madre dei desideri.”

The fundraising exhibit will also showcase the paintings and installation art of veteran stage and movie actor Ernie Garcia and the art of three of the country’s most talented emerging artists Julius Legaspi, Anton Pelobello and Mian Sta. Cruz (photography). Also participating in the collective are Nannette Yatco, Lorenz Yatco (photography) and Rolando Talag.

Director Edgar Fernandez of the National Commission of Culture and the Arts will officially open the art collective.

Escaño’s growing reputation in the global art scene as a notable figurative and surreal artist followed after the phenomenal success of two shows she joined at New York’s Ico Gallery in March and April 2009. Her well-received figurative art which are characterized by soulful and lighthearted subjects and scenes are reminiscent of her classical and impressionist exposure while her surreal art features evocative dreamscapes in vibrant patches of colors either in languid almost sinuous brushstrokes or in geometric stained-glass-looking shapes – a style uniquely her own yet universal in appeal.

Escaño has been recently commissioned by the All-Japan Seamen’s Union to paint a mural for their new hotel in Cebu City. She is scheduled to have a one-man show in October 2009 at the Bliss Gallery at Hotel Elizabeth in Baguio City and a first international solo exhibit at Ico Gallery – Chelsea in April 2010.

Part of the proceeds of “The Sacredness of Life” exhibit will go to the Family Planning Organization of the Philippines and UNICEF. Maria Pureza Escaño is represented by Ico Gallery-New York, Dekada Arts-Philippines, Sining Kamalig Gallery and ARTASIA.