Curatorial Notes

Solomon Saprid is most known for his expressionist sculptures made from welded metal strips. His works include a national monument of the Gomburza martyrs, prominently placed in front of the National Museum of Fine Arts, and the Tikbalang series.

The selection of works for ArtFairPH/Projects shows a more intimate look at his practice: it features 23 figure sketches drawn from life during sketching sessions that he attended several times a month. The figures in the sketches are rendered in varying degrees of abstraction, but all possess a perceptible spontaneity and sureness. One can almost imagine the artist’s movements, how he dragged and pushed the edge of the charcoal stick to create these planes that depict the volume of the human body.

–Carla Gamalinda

About the Artist

Saprid became a professional sculptor when he was already 50 years old. Although it was before the advent of the internet, cellphone, and social media, available means of communication were limited to “snail mail” and costly international phone calls albeit, his talent was not left unnoticed. He was among the few Filipinos of his generation who was often invited and selected to showcase Philippine art in some of the most prestigious international art organizations and events in history, one of which is the 1st Biennale of Sydney in 1973. This was also the first Biennale in the Asia-Pacific region where 36 artists from 15 countries were conscientiously selected, Saprid was deservedly included as the sole Philippine representative. He was also the only Filipino sculptor invited to participate in the 2nd ASEAN Sculpture Symposium in Bangkok, Thailand in 1983 where he completed within the required period of 45 days - the “Asean Birds” measuring 25 ft long x 15 ft wide and 9 ft high. This commission is still permanently perched on the concrete in the middle of a lake in Chatujak Park, Bangkok. Solomon Saprid was also the first Filipino artist and sculptor to be featured in an international documentary film which was produced by the Department of Foreign Affairs, cultural office, in 1973.

Solomon Saprid, in his 34 years as a sculptor, produced works of art that significantly showcased Filipino culture. Whether these be his renowned “Tikbalang” and “Mother-and-Child” series, or what he calls his “Common Folks” pieces (fishermen, vendors, etc) including subjects pertaining to historical events and those that fall within myths, legends and traditions; he clearly and significantly was able to pick the precise “hero pose” moment, easily understood and appreciated both by local and foreign spectators. He was renowned as the master of “frozen motion” during his time.