Accompanied by a certificate signed by the artist confirming the authenticity of this lot

ABOUT THE WORK

Pioneering the practice of using recurring folk motifs drawn from his Sulu heritage, connecting the wider world of Southeast Asian mythological traditions, Abdulmari Imao emanates this masterpiece of a Sarimanok, a triumphant force akin to the phoenix in its mythical and elusive qualities. His most familiar motif, for example, the Sarimanok is essentially a link to that story of a rooster in the first of seven heavens. That same motif persists in different Southeast Asian cultures - the serpent naga of Malaysia, the most evident example. These regional thematic linkages set the practice of Imao apart in the Philippine art community as something truly unique. Imao’s art remained as animated as ever, full of life, energy, and hunger to create. The colors that grace this feature work are bright, vivid, and arresting. His palette tickles the eyes, each block of color commanding attention, seducing the senses, yet all elements balance each other, the epitome of harmony and unity. No wonder in a 2013 interview, Imao declared that “Art is a sense of order and harmony… and to be a good artist, one must have the right attitude toward his interests and associates. In his works, his life is reflected, and it is necessary that an artist must be generally well-informed and be interested in other related artistic fields.” Imao had exhibited distinct qualities that merited him to be the first Muslim National Artist. The work is a testament to how Imao’s art represents a visual rendering of the Philippines’ place within the community of Southeast Asian art and characterizes an important aspect of the national artistic trajectory.