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| "Philippine Folklore" by Jose P. Alcantara |
Jose P. Alcantara was a famous sculptor and wood carver from the Philippines. He begun his career on a very young age of 10 back in a small carving shop in Quiapo, Manila. He first trained as an apprentice to Gonzalo Puyat, and began his first lesson in woodcarving. He joined the Art Association of the Philippines or AAP in 1951.
In 1961, Philam Life Foundation commissioned then 50 years old Jose P. Alcantara to make one of his biggest carved wood masterpiece: a 50 feet wall sculpture. The auditorium was known for its excellent acoustics which were done by Bolt, Beranek and Newman who are also credited for the Sydney Opera House, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and the United Nations Assembly Hall in New York. As part of its commitment to contribute to nations building and art appreciation for mental wellness, Philam Foundation unveiled at the National Museum an artistic masterpiece that Jose P. Alcantara did in the 60's.
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| Jose P. Alcantara with young grandniece. Photo courtesy of the Philippine Canadian Inquirer. |
Alcantara is one of the few artists who used the Philippine classical wood carving tradition. He was named as “the last maestro of traditional wood carving in the country,” His talent took him to numerous prestigious shows and gave him countless accolades here and outside the country.
Alcantara’s 50 feet wall sculpture masterpiece can now be seen for free at Gallery XVI on the third floor of the museum, located just above the stunning Juan Luna magnum opus “Spoliarium.” The sculpture is now named “Philippine Folklore” after not being named and untitled for many years. It is made from carved wood relief and lacquer, features elements from Philippine folklore, traditional musical instruments, and mythical characters like Maria Makiling and Malakas at Maganda, all known to have a semi-abstract approach to form. The wood carving also shows a continuous scene where Christians and Muslims are doing their own festivities while staying connected to each other. Alcantara’s work indeed celebrates the brilliance of Philippine art, exhibiting its distinct culture through the rich details and formal patterns.
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