About the Artist
Filipino
artist and 2006 TOYM Awardee Michael Cacnio is a world-class brass
sculptor of the social realist genre. Hailing from the town of Malabon in the
Philippines, Cacnio is a product of the prestigious College of Fine Arts of the
University of the Philippines in Diliman. He professionally debuted as a
painter, but later found his true calling in the art of sculpting brass.
His body of work features tableaux of characters taken from traditional Filipino archetypes delivered in his distinct signature style, revealing enduring truths about human nature, about the family and the community.
After more than 50 well-received solo exhibits, his art has achieved critical and commercial success in Asia, Europe and the United States, his works frequently featured in broadcast media and in several reputable publications. In 2007, he became the first Filipino artist to be featured in a solo exhibit in the European Commission’s headquarters in Berlaymont, Brussels.
As he approaches his twentieth year in the profession in 2011, his position at the forefront of the Philippine art scene may as well be cast in brass, as top corporations, dignitaries and private art collectors continue to treasure the craft of this brilliant master.
His body of work features tableaux of characters taken from traditional Filipino archetypes delivered in his distinct signature style, revealing enduring truths about human nature, about the family and the community.
After more than 50 well-received solo exhibits, his art has achieved critical and commercial success in Asia, Europe and the United States, his works frequently featured in broadcast media and in several reputable publications. In 2007, he became the first Filipino artist to be featured in a solo exhibit in the European Commission’s headquarters in Berlaymont, Brussels.
As he approaches his twentieth year in the profession in 2011, his position at the forefront of the Philippine art scene may as well be cast in brass, as top corporations, dignitaries and private art collectors continue to treasure the craft of this brilliant master.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Brass gave his sculptures a bright high note in a room as
it drew attention to the exquisitely shaped form. Brass also allied his work to
the sumptuous qualities of ethic ritual, not so much decorative but elegant and
graceful form. The brass in his sculpture celebrates the richness of color like
precious material.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
'Lobo' is the Filipino term for balloon, a prominent
feature in most of the pieces in this collection. Its presence may well be a
festive representation, as "Lobo" (the show) is part of a series of
commemorative events held throughout 2011 to mark the artist's 20th year as a
sculptor in brass. The pieces in this series deviate from the usual brass crea
tions, in that some of the pieces are crafted in fiberglass and stainless
steel. The figures molded from these materials form the context that allows the
colorful glass globes in this collect ion to stand out and evoke a sense of
occasion, of childhood joy, of parental affection, of youthful devotion, or
even a juvenile aspiration forfiight. The visual elegance and timeless
relevance of these masterpieces make them much-coveted spectacles desired by
art collectors and earnest art viewers alike.