William Yu (b. 1954)This painting is a stunning example of William Yu’s evolution as a contemporary artist. Known for his distinctive “picasoid” figures and his mastery of the palette knife—an influence drawn from Filipino masters like Cesar Legazpi—Yu departs from geometric precision in this piece to embrace a more fluid and abstract composition.Here, the gentleman catching a fish is transformed into an interplay of colors and shapes, applied with a combination of palette knife strokes and expressive brushwork. The result is a vibrant, contemporary abstract scene that reflects Yu’s ongoing artistic journey and his bold shift towards a more free-flowing style. Signed on the upper left: William Yu 99. Frame: 65”x45”—————————————Born in 1954 in Baculin Baganga, Davao Oriental, William Yu’s artistic journey began under the guidance of his father, mastering Calligraphy. In 1981, he expanded his skills by enrolling in an International Correspondence Course in London. Additionally, he honed his craft as an apprentice in the studio of the esteemed National Artist, Cesar Legazpi.A groundbreaking event occurred when he, along with Alex de los Reyes and Emeritus Jovilla, curated a pioneering art exhibit at the Baganga town hall. This marked the first-ever art exhibition in the town and led to the establishment of the Baganga Artists Society. In 1983, William Yu made the significant move to Manila to fully dedicate himself to painting.Renowned for his distinctive “picasoid” figures, he deviates from conventional techniques, adopting a palette knife instead of the traditional paintbrush to apply oil colors onto canvas. Notably, this approach aligns him with Filipino masters such as Legaspi and Ang Kiukok.However, his recent artistic creations diverge greatly from his earlier works. In this phase, he deliberately dissolves the geometric precision of his figures, embracing a more abstract and loosely intertwined amalgamation of shapes and hues. His compositions now derive from the dynamic and flowing strokes of his brushwork, combined with a meticulously calculated use of the palette knife on canvas.