Norma Belleza (b. 1939)
Bulongan
signed and dated 1983 (lower left)
oil on canvas
30" x 36" (76 cm x 91 cm)


Accompanied by a certificate signed by the artistconfirming the authenticity of this lot




As written by Emmanuel Torres in Kayamanan: 77 Paintings from the Central Bank Collection, "something primitive characterizes the work of Norma Belleza." Belleza's approach to genre painting has been characterized as raw yet exceptionally eye-catching. Her mastery of color harmony integrated with her distinct brushstrokes resulted in an interesting take on the local folk genre. Her natural interpretation of the genre is attributed to her understanding of the ordinary people— their lifestyles, resilience, and strength of character amid the challenges brought by their everyday living. In Belleza's oeuvre, lively market scenes featuring local women are a recurring subject matter. As exemplified in this piece, Belleza always puts the folk people at the forefront of her composition, such as the women vendors, emphasizing their inherent potency and native physical appearance. Belleza renders her subjects in vivid colors. The artist relinquishes a smooth brush stroke in favor of a texturally grainier yet strikingly evocative one. Belleza gives us a more profoundly personal glimpse at women vendors, displaying their delightful and buoyant disposition in life through the vibrancy of colors. Her palette also exudes an energy that is revitalizing for the beholder. In a seemingly uncontrived snapshot from their lives, Belleza humanizes her subjects, putting them in their everyday situations to establish affinity with the ordinary viewer. (A.M.)