ABOUT THE WORK

Anastacio "Tam" Austria has a penchant for depicting the rich cultural tradition of his countrymen—from scenes of the ordinary Filipinos' everyday life, the tranquil landscape of the countryside, to the diverse customs that define our collective identity as a nation. His works are deeply admired for their captivating and idyllic attributes. In this piece, Austria portrays a utopian world enraptured by a lady's mesmerizing femininity. Set against a backdrop of a blissful environment, the subject is a divinely idealized depiction of a Filipino woman dressed in a traditional rural wardrobe. She is surrounded by an abundance of flora and fauna rendered in earthly pastel hues that accentuate Austria's mastery of intertwining the folk and the modern. Austria's works appeal to a myriad of art connoisseurs due to their timeless and universal romantic appeal. Referring to the universality and pertinent character of his oeuvre, Austria expressed: "I think my work reflects a number of basic truths, perhaps, too, nostalgia for the good things slipping away. Then there is the earth, the fields, the sky, the quiet corner people long for. Perhaps, people are drawn to my painting by common feelings that go beyond art." Austria was mentored under the artistic prowess of Carlos "Botong" Francisco. In 1954, he obtained his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Santo Tomas. He was bestowed by the Cultural Center of the Philippines with its highly-coveted Thirteen Artists Award in 1970. In the same year, Austria held his first exhibition at Marcel's Gallery of Fine Arts in Oakland, California. A high point in his artistic career was his nomination as one of the five finalists in the 1983 Mobil Art Awards. Austria's works are a proven favorite amongst art collectors.