Up Close and Personal through lenses and letters: Botong Francisco
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Up Close and Personal: Botong Francisco, Yuchengco Museum 2012
Up Close and Personal: Botong Francisco through Lenses and Letters opening on Friday, January 25, 6:30 p.m.
As part of the ongoing celebration of life, work, and influence of Botong Francisco on the 100th anniversary of his birth, the Yuchengco Museum presents a new exhibition that paints a more intimate portrait of the renowned muralist. Up Close and Personal: Botong Francisco through Lenses and Letters brings together original correspondence from the Francisco family collection and photographs of the National Artist by lensman Dick Baldovino. The exhibit can be seen from January 25 to April 30, 2013.
On exhibit are select black and white portraits of Botong Francisco, as well as photographs of the artist working in his studio or enjoying the company of his friends and family. The snapshots were taken by friend and photojournalist Dick Baldovino, who was a key figure in the development of Philippine photography to a profession and graphic art. Baldovino is also known for his portraits of the country’s first National Artists, and his images for numerous books on Philippine art.
Also on view are original letters by Botong Francisco written between 1966, while he was working on his series of commissioned murals entitled Filipino Struggles through History for Manila City Hall, and 1969, the year of his death. Most of the letters are addressed to his eldest child, Carmen, who was then studying and working in the United States. The exhibit includes correspondence to an American priest and friend, Father Yeo.