Nemesio Miranda, Jr.: Forerunner of Imaginative Figurism

By VINCE G. LOPEZ

November 28, 2010, 2:02pm

(Photo by PINGGOT ZULUETA)

Imaginative figurism is a process in which the artist produces a detailed rendition of the human body through paintings and sculptures by using vivid visual recollections from the mind.

The term was originally used by Nemesio Miranda, Jr. one of the leading artists in the art capital of the Philippines - Angono, Rizal  - to describe his artworks.

Miranda, or Nemiranda as he is often referred to in the art industry, has been using imaginative figurism as the foundation of his numerous works of art. From sketches, paintings, and murals, Miranda has been creating artworks depicting the joyous nature of Filipino culture while relishing the glory of simple living in his hometown.

“The term is an art philosophy that I have developed through the years. This is the mastery of the human form through pure imagination. Having a sharp imagination is like having a third eye na kahit nakapikit ka, you can still see the figure as if you can see its details and you can draw the human figure in the right proportions,” expressed Miranda.

Vivid Visualizations

Miranda credits the fluidity of motion of his human subjects to his sharp memory and early relationship with art. The Angono artist recalls that he started delving into arts when he was just five years old. He would scribble and do sketches on any kind of paper.

“As far as I can remember, I was already drawing when I was five years old or even younger. I was influenced by comics which were very influential back then. At that time, I had no idea who the artist was and I still appreciated his work. Later, when I learned to read, I found out that it was Francisco Coching. Then, when I was in grade five or six, that’s when I saw the works of Botong Francisco na kababayan namin. That’s when my passion to become an artist began. They are the two Franciscos that inspired and challenged me to become an artist,” the artist shared.

It was Coching’s fine depiction of the human body that caught the attention of the young Miranda. Little did the artist know that it’s his fascination with the human form that would catapult him into greatness.

The imagination plays an important role in an artist’s attempt to create a physical representation of his thoughts. But for Miranda and his mastery of imaginative figurism, it only takes him a couple of minutes to fill a blank canvas with free flowing ideas from his mind. 

Miranda said, “I am a figurative artist, I am inspired by the human figure and I use it as a focal point for my artworks. I never go out without a pencil or a pen in my body as well as a piece of paper. Wherever I am, and during my spare times, I continually sketch using various kinds of models whether it’s a man across the street or someone simply standing.”

The artist also shares that it’s not always easy to create a masterpiece especially during his earlier years. It is only through his struggles that an artist fully realizes his talent and finds his niche in the world of art.

“The greatest joy for an artist is finishing an artwork the way he wanted it to be, the way he saw it in his mind. Being satisfied with your own artwork is one of the most rewarding things for an artist. Every artist has his own frustrations, and no matter how hard you try to make it beautiful, it just won’t work. But then there’s always a time when everything seems to flow easily,” added Miranda

EDSA and Nemiranda

His mastery of the human form and his positive perception of human life and Philippine culture are evident in his works. The bright hues depicting daily life are a reflection of the artist’s positive outlook in life.

Nemiranda says, “I consider myself as a positivist as I always try to see the positive side of life. I am a naturally happy person who can always smile after experiencing a negative occurrence in my life”

His continued admiration for human dynamics has led him to take part in the first Edsa Revolution in 1986. Miranda is proud to be a part of history by being involved in one of the most defining moments of Philippine history. The artist described the revolution as “a time in history where Filipinos were united for a common cause and in which the Philippines was the first country to successfully hold a peaceful revolution.”

Miranda and his passion in depicting the human activity inspired him to sketch the interesting details of the Edsa Revolution. He recalls scribbling the whole time as people sang, rejoiced, and renounced the former dictator.
His sketches soon found their way to the upper walls of Edsa shrine as he led a group of artists in creating a mural in the upper walls of the shrine. 

“I consider it as being at the right place at the right time. I was continually sketching as the four-day revolution was taking place. I consider it as one of my greatest artworks and a tribute to our country’s history. Just like how Juan Luna depicted the hard times during the Spanish era, I was luckily commissioned to interpret one of the most important timelines in our country’s history,” shared Miranda.

Aside from the first Edsa revolution, the artist was also commissioned to create a relief sculpture of Edsa II. He recalls that the first Edsa Revolution used the power of radio broadcast while the second revolution was staged with the use of cellular phones.

It is this awareness of the relationship of the past with the future that continues to inspire Miranda.

Integrating the past into the future

Nemiranda, just like any other artist, is proud and passionate when it comes to his hometown. His artworks are a testament of how much he adores the province of Angono. “Inspiration is easily within reach,” recalls the artist as he remembers the simple life in his province.

“I want to preserve the beauty of Angono. Before, we had falls, clear waters where we can swim and take a boat ride, and mountains where we can climb. All of which can no longer be seen as they have been transformed into subdivisions and concrete jungle. It’s what I try to re-create in my artworks and want to impart to the younger generation,” explained Miranda.

His memory of Angono’s early days is also deeply meshed with the province’s popular mythical beings. From folklore to mythical creatures such as Malakas and Maganda, Miranda portrays them as real persons - farmers and fishermen as the legendary beings.

Miranda said, “Although they are mythical beings and come from epic stories, there are lessons that can be learned from each of the characters. The reason why I want to portray them as regular persons is because farmers and fishermen are our unsung heroes. It is their simple way of living, their level of happiness that cannot be experienced by a rich person, that happiness which is found within one’s self, this is how I try to relate the mythical beings with regular people.”

Aside from artworks, his fond memories of the past are also manifested in his current project of creating a living museum and café in his home.

“The house is new but the materials used inside are old, I try to collect artworks from the Angono artists and put them here. I want to have a walking museum where people can enjoy the artworks and have a good time talking about the artworks and learn their history.” This is the hope of a passionate Nemiranda.

The café is part of Nemiranda’s plan to propagate the artistic passion in the province. As a founder of the Angono Ateliers Association, it is Miranda’s primary mission to see that the artistic talents of the province continue to prosper.

“There are so many artists in Angono trying to preserve its culture. Through sculptures and painting of the local folklore, we try to immortalize them by raising the people’s awareness of the traditions and true beauty of old culture,” concludes Nemiranda.

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