Salcedo Auctions' Take 2 on Important Philippine Art

The large crowd at Salcedo Auctions despite the not-so-good weather

Heart pounding – this is what basically ruled my innermost senses last Saturday, 22^nd of September at the Salcedo Auctions in Three Salcedo Place, Tordesillas St. Salcedo Village, Makati City.  It was the second auction of the “Important Philippine Art” for this year, the first being on March 10.  It was raining cats and dogs just like last time but the awful weather didnt seem as a hindrance to fill the venue with art enthusiasts.  In fact, there was a large number of crowd standing because the space have already been packed half an hour before the auction even started.  Yes, I was present in both and I still have not gotten over the enigma of the first yet my emotions were put on a halt again as I found myself chasing over some art works I’m vying for. 

My Paddle - Auctions' version of Pom-Poms

I was eyeing on 5 lots at this year’s auction (not that I can afford it) – Mauro ‘Malang’ Santos’ Still Life with Vase and Flowers, Romulo Olazo’s Kasuy, Romeo Tabuena’s Vendors, J.Elizalde Navarro’s Hiroto Kyoto and Nena Saguil’s 1973 Untitled Abstract.  I got so frustrated over losing on a bid at Malang’s piece but got a hold of my disappointment when I got Nena Saguil’s work. 

Nena Saguil Untitled Abstract 1973 Watercolor -- The piece I won!

Mauro Malang Santos
Still Life with Vase and Flowers 
1980 Oil on Canvas

It was a close contend with Malang, I lost it at the final price of 800,000.  My final attempt was 700,000 and I cannot go farther as I still have to add up buyer’s premium of 16.8% which would give Malang’s piece a total of over 1 million.  Not that I think it’s overpriced.  The piece was boasting with colors and vibrancy and I could’ve gotten it until 1.2M but I have learned to control myself and end at the planned stop.  We hardly see a Malang piece surfaced nowadays, that’s why I got excited when I saw that it was part of this year’s auction but I’ve limit myself to bid until 700,000 only.

Auctioneer Andrew Thomas doing what his best at --
Making the bids go up!

Nonetheless, I am still exultant over winning a bid at Nena Saguil’s work.   I have always been fond of her work, I found her abstract works a distinctive mess of spheres and non-orbital dots yet when looked upon evokes a nostalgic emotion and joyful extravagance.  Andrew Thomas, the house’s auctioneer started the lot at 40,000 and I had the chance to bestow the final bid at 100,000 excluding the buyer’s premium.  I heard from my back an echo of “finally” to the fellow bidders.  Maybe they have witnessed how I have reluctantly stopped myself over Malang’s lot.  Mr. Thomas, I must say is impressive in his craft with his witting talent to press on your limits.  No wonder, his services are repeatedly sought by the auction house.  His cajoles are enough for you to raise your paddle and nod on the impending raise of bid.  In total, I got the lot at 116,800 since it’s part of the rules of Salcedo’s Auctions to add a premium of 16.8%.



As for the three other choices I’ve mentioned, I wasn’t able to get the chance anymore to raise my paddle; there were just a lot of bids thrown at Olazo’s work and Navarro’s.  Romeo Tabuena’s Vendors starting bid was dear already to begin with.

J. Elizalde Navarro's Hiroto, Kyoto 1958 Oil on Canvas

Romeo Tabuena Vendors 1969 Oil on Canvas

Romulo Olazo Kasuy 1995 Oil on Canvas

Ronald Ventura Burnout 2005
Oil on Canvas with Collage

The contemporary artists fared just as strongly, though I’m not a huge fan of modern conceptualized pieces, it’s remarkable to witness how they have evolved in terms of the value of their work.  Last year saw the unprecedented success of contemporary art when Ronald Ventura’s “Academic” reached a final bid of 2.4 million pesos plus buyer’s premium.  Much to the amazement of everyone in the room, the 2005 painting of the artist is just an incredibly 26 x 20 inches, definitely not a major work of Ventura.  So it didn’t surprise the crowd at all to witness the hammer pound at 4.3 million (buyers premium not included) pesos over this year’s included work of the artist.  If I will compute the total amount that the winning bidder needs to shell out, he would settle a staggering 5 million pesos – enough to buy a posh condominium unit or a sports car.

It was also notable to mention another contemporary artist; Jose John Santos’ Conversations soared high at the final bid of 2.6 million pesos.  The piece had been estimated at an amount of 250,000-350,000. Alfredo Esquillo Jr.’s award winning Ritwal did not disappoint as a finale piece when it reached the hammer price of 2.9 million pesos (buyers premium excluded).  Pam Yan-Santos’ Storyboard (a portrait of the artists’ mother) has gone beyond its high estimate of 190,000 to 800,000.

Jose John Santos Conversations 2005 Oil on Canvas

Pam Yan-Santos Storyboard 2005 Mixed Media

Alfredo Esquillo Jr. Ritwal 1995 Oil and sawdust relief on rubber panel

The old artists were also competitive.  Nena Saguil, Federico Aguilar Alcuaz, Bencab, J. Elizalde Navarro and Jose Joya – as expected have exceeded the house’s appraised value proving that they’re the Philippine Art’s masters.

Jose Joya Untitled Abstract 1957 Oil on Canvas

Federico Aguilar Alcuaz Viento Sobre Viento 1964 Oil on Canvas

Auction's Topnotcher -- Anita Magsaysay Ho Lady with Guitar 
1950 Oil on Canvas

One of my favorite painters, Anita Magsaysay Ho would send another shockwave to the local and international arena as it ended a realized price of 6.3 million pesos with her rendition of a classic portrait of Lady with Guitar (circa 1950) in oil.  It was a fierce bid between live bidders and telephone bidders as paddles have relentlessly been raised to pave way for their offers – all just to own the lady painter’s coveted piece.  This stunning sale of the painter’s piece did not surprise the crowd anymore as Ho still holds the record of a Filipino painter who has reached the 15 million mark for a small piece (In the Marketplace) at the prestigious Christie’s auction of Southeast Asian Art.

This is indeed another remarkable moment of Philippine Art.  It's an elating experience to be surrounded with Filipinos who are willing to get a hold of their country's enduring talents.  The art industry in the country still proves to be true and loyal to its lineage. The almost 100% Filipino crowd in the auction event is enough evidence to substantiate this.

As for me, I'm ecstatic that I got a piece of Nena Saguil though sad that I lost on Malang's artwork.  But true enough, I have conquered my fear of bidding (raising the paddle is still a conquest at first), I've become a participant of yet another proud Filipino moment and I'm sure to have learned what and what not to do on the next auction I will embark on.  My heart pounced, skid, stopped and beat again.  Truly an experience worth remembering -- and worth sharing (blogging).

Photos in these entry are taken from the Salcedo Auctions Online Catalogue. Captions of photos are copied from the inset descriptions provided in the catalogue.  

By the way, I forgot to bring a decent camera at that time so I used my iPhone instead to at least capture some still photos of the event. Pardon me for the low quality pictures.