Let us talk about this great artist over a hot cup of "soya"coffee. Have a sit on the sculptured wooden chairs and sip while you groove on the art that surrounds you filling the artsy Kape Diperensya you can find just before you enter one gallery in the City of Pines. And when you're done with your drinks, treat your eyes and soul with the masterpieces of Baguio City's pride, a sculptor, a painter, an art entrepreneur Ben-hur Villanueva.
As a devotee of Art, meeting a renowned artist is such a momentous moment. Since he is just one of the few artists I met (unexpectedly) in person, I can't hide the feeling of a little bit tachycardic and jovial at the same time. Our endeavor of traveling 30 minutes to Tacay Road was very rewarding after meeting him.
Ben-Hur Villanueva
Ben-hur Villanueva established his name as a great sculptor working with brass, metal, and wood. Some of his famous sculptures include Kapit-Bisig, Among Supremo, Thy Will Be Done, St. Aloysius Gonzaga and Risen Christ. He spent 30 years of his life as an educator. But his endless enthusiasm of sharing his arts didn't stop after his retirement. In fact, he is one of the artists who first established the Baguio Arts Guild. He also became the president of the Society of Philippine Sculptors. He has served also as an Art director for the Ephpheta Foundation for the Blind, Inc. and became the Vice President-treasurer for Unesco’s International Art Association.
Ben-hur Villanueva established his name as a great sculptor working with brass, metal, and wood. Some of his famous sculptures include Kapit-Bisig, Among Supremo, Thy Will Be Done, St. Aloysius Gonzaga and Risen Christ. He spent 30 years of his life as an educator. But his endless enthusiasm of sharing his arts didn't stop after his retirement. In fact, he is one of the artists who first established the Baguio Arts Guild. He also became the president of the Society of Philippine Sculptors. He has served also as an Art director for the Ephpheta Foundation for the Blind, Inc. and became the Vice President-treasurer for Unesco’s International Art Association.
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Arko ni Apo Art Gallery
Upon retiring from teaching at Ateneo, Ben-hur put up an arts workshop in Baguio City and named it as "Arko Ni Apo", dubbed in Ilocano that means Ark of the Lord. This also serves as an art gallery where you can find some of his artworks on display, from paintings to intricate metal sculptures. As you can notice, most of his sculptures are in dancing positions and to complement them, a relaxing music is played inside the gallery making these sculptures look like really moving.
Upon retiring from teaching at Ateneo, Ben-hur put up an arts workshop in Baguio City and named it as "Arko Ni Apo", dubbed in Ilocano that means Ark of the Lord. This also serves as an art gallery where you can find some of his artworks on display, from paintings to intricate metal sculptures. As you can notice, most of his sculptures are in dancing positions and to complement them, a relaxing music is played inside the gallery making these sculptures look like really moving.
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The Workspace
It is always interesting to look on the workspace of an artist. Just outside the gallery is Ben-hur's workspace. I always wonder why most of the artists are messy and unorganized but manage to build an amazing masterpiece. You can find greens on his surroundings and the view of Tam-awan Village that surely a great inspiration while finishing an artwork .
It is always interesting to look on the workspace of an artist. Just outside the gallery is Ben-hur's workspace. I always wonder why most of the artists are messy and unorganized but manage to build an amazing masterpiece. You can find greens on his surroundings and the view of Tam-awan Village that surely a great inspiration while finishing an artwork .
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