All things Sansó on view in new museum

By: Alyosha J. Robillos - 10 years ago

JUVENAL Sansó at Fundacion Santiago, before blown-up sketch of himself that he did in 1964. On the wall is inscription, an excerpt from the late critic Leo Benesa: “I realize that Sansó’s subject matter is the ‘inner eye,’ the artist looking into himself.”

PORTRAIT of the young Sansó by the late Irineo Miranda with the dedication, “ami querido amigo y colega Juvenal” (tomy dear friend and colleague Juvenal). PHOTOS BY JILSON SECKLER TIU

MANILA, Philippines—What does one do when one has already traveled the world in pursuit of one’s passion and dream? One comes home.

And for Spanish-born artist Juvenal Sansó, home is here in his beloved Philippines, where he once again roots himself in, and presents to the public, in celebration of his 65 years in art, Fundacion Sansó, a museum housing the renowned expressionist’s archives and works.

Nestled in the heart of San Juan City, Metro Manila, Fundacion Sansó showcases various key obra in the artist’s life.

“With a career that started before the Second World War and a practice that includes exhibiting in Italy, Spain, France, the United States and the Philippines, Sansó’s body of work has picked up a lot of elements from the different cultures he has been exposed to and the ideas of the times he has lived in,” said Fundacion Sansó museum director Dida Salita.

A trip to Fundacion Sansó treats collectors and enthusiasts to a comprehensive survey of the artist’s nearly seven-decade career. Viewers get a closer look at his creative journey as a visual artist, which can be observed in the stark shift from his monochrome, rather bizarre and stark, early expressionism, to his later tranquil seascapes and floral brights.

From early award-winning pieces to less-known works such as textile designs (for key European fashion brands) and opera set and costume designs (for European opera directors such as Menotti) to sketches, prints and paintings, Fundacion Sansó has it all. Also included are his personal archives.

“Fundacion Sansó has been in the works for many years. His practice is very rich, and it is a good source of learning and inspiration,” said Ricky Francisco, museum curator.

It was Sansó’s friends who came up with the idea of putting up a public venue for the artist’s artworks and archives, said Francisco.

Aside from the Sansó assemblage, other offerings of Fundacion Sansó are educational art activities for adults and children, as well as a revolving exhibition program.

Juvenal Sansó has held exhibitions worldwide and received accolades for his work. Chief among these awards are the Chevalier de líOrdre des Arts et des Lettres from the French government; the Presidential Medal of Merit from the Republic of the Philippines; and the Distinguished Cross of Isabela from the King of Spain.

Sansó received formal art training at the University of the Philippines’ School of Fine Arts and took special art classes at University of Santo Tomas. He pursued further studies in Europe, where he attended the Accademia di Belle Arti and the L’ Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts.

Fundacion Sansó is at 32 V. Cruz St., San Juan City. Contact 9521568 or e-mail fundacionsanso@gmail.com for more details.

‘Rare and Essential’ Sansó in full view in new exhibit