VENANCIO C. IGARTA +

Born in Sarrat, Ilocos Sur in 1913.  Immigrant farm worker in California until 1930.  Formal art training at Students’ League in Manhattan, N. Y..  The only Filipino whose work “Northern Philippines” was exhibited by the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art.  Fortune Magazine  featured his paintings alongside those of American art giants like Rockwell Kent and Maurice Sterne.  Jose Garcia Villa calls him “the only Filipino artist worth meeting in New York”.  Snobbish New York art critics recognize him as a prominent artist in the U. S.  Used to hang out with literary heavyweights like e.e. cummings and Dylan Thomas. Used to reside in New York Lower Eastside until his death in May 2000.  The only exhibit of his works in the Philippines was held at the Metropolitan Museum in Manila, with First Lady Ming Ramos leading the guests. Described as a “Filipino Genius” by FilAm writer, the New York based Angela Tolosa, and as a “master colorist” by another Fil-Am critic, Celia Aborro.