Onib Olmedo Sold at Auction Prices

b. 1937 - d. 1996

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        • Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) - Untitled (Lady with Her Jar)
          Nov. 30, 2024

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) - Untitled (Lady with Her Jar)

          Est: ₱240,000 - ₱312,000

          Untitled (Lady with Her Jar) signed and dated 1970 (lower right) oil on canvas 24” x 36” (61 cm x 91 cm) Accompanied by a certificate issued by Ms. Gisella Olmedo-Araneta confirming the authenticity of this lot. Expressionist Onib Olmedo first broke into the Philippine art scene in 1971 with his Singkong Suka series. Shocking and intense, this exhibition at the La Solidaridad portrayed Onib’s fledgling distortion and skewed perspective, leaving the usual gallery viewers shocked and repulsed” as they take in his emaciated figures. This 1970 Untitled (Lady with her Jar) was created a year before Onib’s official introduction to the art scene and unlike his pieces before and after, Lady with her Jar is much paler and more subdued than his usual oeuvre. The woman he portrays lacks the usual distortion of his figures; instead, she is portrayed more linearly and more realistically. Onib incorporates deep, earth colors, melding the brown of her skin to the color of the clay post she holds, and even washes the entire canvas with this earthy yellow-brown hue. Her hair blends into the tree behind her, creating a tangible comparison between the woman and Mother Nature. Even in his undistorted piece, Onib’s proletarian sensibility shines. The simplicity with which he portrays this woman shows his deep appreciation for the masses, the sense of hope amidst trial and suffering shining brighter than ever before. (Hannah Valiente)

          Leon Gallery
        • Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) - Napping
          Nov. 30, 2024

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) - Napping

          Est: ₱700,000 - ₱910,000

          Napping signed and dated 1970 (lower right) oil on canvas 30" x 30" (76 cm x 76 cm) León Gallery wishes to thank Ms. Gisella Olmedo-Araneta for confirming the authenticity of this lot EXHIBITED: Solidaridad Galleries, Three-Man Show (Onib Olmedo, Vicente Reyes, Jose Pinga, Manila, 8 - 18 January 1971 LITERATURE: Rodriguez-Olmedo, Bettina. Onib & Me. Makati City: Leon Gallery, 2024. Illustrated with painting description on page 20. Even before his formal introduction to the art world with his shocking Singkong Suka in 1971, Onib Olmedo had found himself fascinated with the human condition and the people encompassing it. Having first worked as a racing steward (and later judge) at the San Lazaro race tracks, Onib was intimately acquainted with hope and despair, the desperation of the bettors hoping for a change of luck in the wind and the joy of the winners saturating his works from then on. This 1970 work portrays such desperation and hopelessness in full display. Depicting a large figure slumped forward, this man is the image of despair with his shoulders sagging on the table he hunched over and his hand curled into a tight fist. This, combined with the somber color palette, creates a precursor to his grotesque Singkong Suka and perhaps is a common image at the San Lazaro race tracks he’d worked at. “For him, people were not in the abstract as figments of the imagination but were real human beings of flesh and blood engaged in real daily struggles to survive,” writes art critic Alice Guillermo in Onib Olmedo: Dimensions of Depth. “This humanistic perspective was his essential and lasting contribution to Philippine art. Of the modernists, it was this perspective which constituted his authenticity.”

          Leon Gallery
        • Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) - Mother and Child
          Nov. 30, 2024

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) - Mother and Child

          Est: ₱800,000 - ₱1,040,000

          Mother and Child signed and dated 1988 (lower right) oil on canvas 36" x 24" (91 cm x 61 cm) Accompanied by a certificate issued by Ms. Gisella Olmedo-Araneta confirming the authenticity of this lot. Onib Conjures a New 'Madonna of the Slums' The subject of mother and child has been one of the most enduring images in the history of human portraiture. From sculptures to canvas, this image of the Madonna persevered through history, emphasizing just how important motherhood is held and revered. Among the artists who have tried their hand on this subject is Onib Olmedo. The renowned expressionist manifests the highly tempestuous human emotions into physical appearance, rendering his figures in this 1988 Mother and Child distorted and disfigured. This warped quality did not evade the mother and child – in fact, he exacerbated it, exaggerating the face and eyes of his figures. Their misshapen figures are gripped with anguish and torture, conveying a glumness that is as palpable as any physical object. In this Mother and Child, Onib paints a new ‘Madonna of the Slums,’ pushing the original vision of the downtrodden duo and elevating their humanity. Both their hopes and despair are evident in their distorted faces and Onib, adept at probing into the human soul without idealization, gave the view a filter-free image of the mother and child, both in their short-lived glory and inevitable demise.

          Leon Gallery
        • PROPERTY FROM THE LORNA REVILLA MONTILLA COLLECTION Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)
          Oct. 26, 2024

          PROPERTY FROM THE LORNA REVILLA MONTILLA COLLECTION Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)

          Est: ₱15,000 - ₱19,500

          Portrait of a Lady signed and dated 1978 (lower right) pen and ink on paper 17 1/2" x 12" (44 cm x 30 cm) León Gallery wishes to thank Ms. Gisella Olmedo-Araneta for confirming the authenticity of this lot

          Leon Gallery
        • PROPERTY FROM THE LORNA REVILLA MONTILLA COLLECTION Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)
          Oct. 26, 2024

          PROPERTY FROM THE LORNA REVILLA MONTILLA COLLECTION Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)

          Est: ₱15,000 - ₱19,500

          Portrait signed and dated 1978 (lower right) mixed media on paper 10" x 8" (25 cm x 20 cm) León Gallery wishes to thank Ms. Gisella Olmedo-Araneta for confirming the authenticity of this lot

          Leon Gallery
        • Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) - Untitled (Nude Woman)
          Sep. 14, 2024

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) - Untitled (Nude Woman)

          Est: ₱280,000 - ₱300,000

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) Signed and dated '78' (1978, lower left) Ink wash on paper 99 x 66 cm (39 x 26 in) Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity issued and signed by Gisella Olmedo Araneta

          Salcedo Auctions
        • Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) - Untitled
          Sep. 14, 2024

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) - Untitled

          Est: ₱800,000 - ₱1,040,000

          Untitled signed (lower right) oil on canvas 30” x 30” (76 cm x 76 cm) Accompanied by a certificate issued by Gisella Olmedo - Araneta confirming the authenticity of this lo PROVENANCE León Gallery, he Magnificent September Auction 2017 September 29, 2017, Makati City, 29 September 2017, Lot 50 WRITE UP Longing and Despair Onib Olmedo and the Human Spirit The works of Onib Olmedo overflow with sympathy and feeling for the marginalized, the poor, and the oppressed. Whether it be a distorted portraiture, a hazy vision of a music club, or the urban jungle he has spent his life in, Onib translates the struggles of the masses with the utmost respect they deserve, In this work, one could feel the quiet dejection that permeates the piece. Though not as distorted as the usual Onib figure, the boy’s dejected facial expression reveals the despair he is feeling. Beside him is an empty cage which further fuels questions and possible interpretations. Has he lost a beloved pet? The empty cage suggests so. This work is a beautiful portrait of acceptance and loss, a particular strength of Onib. As he beautifully weaves a story within his canvases, he is exceptionally honest with his subjects – he depicts their suffering without diluting it. Still, he reminds his viewers that hope is not lost, should one hold on. (Hannah Valiente)

          Leon Gallery
        • Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) - Bedroom Blues
          Sep. 14, 2024

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) - Bedroom Blues

          Est: ₱700,000 - ₱910,000

          Bedroom Blues signed and dated 1991 (lower right) acrylic on canvas 24” x 36” (61 cm x 91 cm) Accompanied by a certificate issued by Galleria Duemila, Inc confirming the authenticity of this lot PROVENANCE Galleria Duemila, Inc WRITE UP Lamentations, Longing, and Loneliness Onib Olmedo and the Poignancy of Human Existence 1991 finds Onib Olmedo right in the middle of rapid career-defining moments. He, along with fellow figurative expressionists Ang Kiukok and Solomon Saprid, opened the decade with an exhibition at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the first and only CCP show Onib ever embarked on. Come 1992 Onib had been awarded Honorable Mention for Concert in the Alley and The Apartment in the prestigious International Exposition de Peintres at the Château Musée de Cagnes-sur-Mer. In the middle of these events is the creation of the lot at hand. Bedroom Blues features Onib’s distinct distortion as he depicts two women in bed. They lean against each other, heads pressed together as the expanse of brown skin draws the audience’s attention to the impossible anatomy of their bodies. Their waists cinch to give way to impossibly wide hips and their breasts lay heavy against their chests. One of the women, her nose upturned and her eyes – wide and warped in how Onib usually rendered his figures – stared the viewers down. There is a sense of despair that permeates this piece, a loneliness that intertwines these bodies together. It is a story that begs to be told – who are these women and what could have possibly happened for them to end up where they are now? A proletarian sensibility is imbued in the worlds created by Onib. His contorted figures echo the unjust system with which the poor continue to get poorer. However, hope is not lost for Onib; amidst the suffering is a sense of resilience that continues to push his subjects forward. They trudge on, eyes pinned to the future when they are finally liberated from an oppressive status quo. (Hannah Valiente)

          Leon Gallery
        • Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)
          Jul. 27, 2024

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)

          Est: ₱10,000 - ₱13,000

          Nude signed and dated 1978 (lower right) charcoal on paper 21" x 14" (53 cm x 36 cm) León Gallery wishes to thank Ms. Gisella Olmedo-Araneta for confirming the authenticity of this lot

          Leon Gallery
        • Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)
          Jul. 27, 2024

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)

          Est: ₱15,000 - ₱19,500

          Portrait signed and dated 1993 (lower right) charcoal on paper 15 1/4" x 10 1/4" (39 cm x 26 cm) León Gallery wishes to thank Ms. Gisella Olmedo-Araneta for confirming the authenticity of this lot

          Leon Gallery
        • Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) - The Tipster
          Jun. 08, 2024

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) - The Tipster

          Est: ₱700,000 - ₱910,000

          The Tipster signed and dated 1971 (lower right) oil on canvas 30" x 32" (76cmx81cm) Accompanied by a certificate issued by Ms. Gisella Olmedo-Araneta confirming the authenticity of this lot PROVENANCE Private collection, Manila 1971is a momentous year for Onib Olmedo. He formally opened his artistic career with his first solo exhibition Singkong Suka at La Solidaridad Gallery. Even then, his works already bear the markings of his future works – his signature distortion is present, although miniature in scale, and the perspective moderately skewed. “Shocked and repulsed” were how Domini M. Torrevillas described Onib’s first gallery viewers, so used were they to the idyllic rural scenes that Onib’s emaciated figures shocked the viewers to their core. It would take a while for them to warm up to Onib’s works, adds Torrevillas, but once they did, his works have rightfully gone down the annals of Philippine art history. Onib’s penchant for the grotesque and the uncomfortable stems from his intimate knowledge of the masses. Prior to devoting his time to his art full-time, he worked at the San Lazaro race track, first as a racing steward and later as a judge. Here, he came face to face with hope and despair intermingling as winners rejoiced alongside losers. Humanity is found in the masses, he discovered, palpable as the hopeful and the desperate bet on their favorite racehorses. Even outside his work, Onib finds himself drawn towards the common folk. Aside from his neighborhood in Sampaloc, Onib roams the streets of Ermita and Malate, the intermingling of tourists and locals proving a never ending source of inspiration for the expressionist artist. The sprawl of Manila becomes his muse and her citizens immortalized in Onib’s canvases. This enduring interest for the masses is evident in his 1971 The Tipster. Depicting a crowd watching a race, the artist focuses on four figures with the foremost man holding a binocular with a lit cigarette in his mouth. Onib has enlarged the figures' faces, a taste of his later distortions notable even at the start. The large face draws attention to the figures' expressions with their disinterest, desperation, and hope notable and palpable. There is a proletarian sensibility in the worlds created by Onib. The 1970s Philippines is rife with political instability and The Tipster encapsulates the uncertainty the masses surely have felt. His contorted figures echo the unjust system with which the poor continue to get poorer. However, hope is not lost for Onib; amidst the suffering is a sense of resilience that continues to push his subjects forward. They trudge on, eyes pinned on the future when they are finally liberated from an oppressive status quo. (Hannah Valiente)

          Leon Gallery
        • Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)
          Apr. 20, 2024

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)

          Est: ₱70,000 - ₱91,000

          Female Profile signed and dated 1988 (lower right) pastel on paper 27 1/2" x 21 1/2" (70 cm x 55 cm) León Gallery wishes to thank Ms. Gisella Olmedo-Araneta for confirming the authenticity of this lot

          Leon Gallery
        • Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)
          Apr. 20, 2024

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)

          Est: ₱70,000 - ₱91,000

          Nude Series signed and dated 1989 (lower right) pastel on paper 21” x 27” (53 cm x 69 cm) León Gallery wishes to thank Ms. Gisella Olmedo-Araneta for confirming the authenticity of this lot

          Leon Gallery
        • Onib Olmedo (1937-1996) - Mother and Child
          Mar. 09, 2024

          Onib Olmedo (1937-1996) - Mother and Child

          Est: ₱200,000 - ₱260,000

          PROPERTY FROM THE DON EUGENIO “GENY” LOPEZ JR. COLLECTION Mother and Child signed and dated 1995 (lower right) pastel on felt paper 27 1/2" x 22" (70 cm x 56 cm) León Gallery wishes to thank Ms. Gisella Olmedo-Araneta for confirming the authenticity of this lot PROVENANCE: Finale Art File WRITE UP: Onib Olmeda takes the classic Mother and Child image and distorts it to portray the depths of human anguish – instead of the typical warm loving image of a parent and her child, Onib’s 1995 Mother and Child probes the tortured psyche emphasized by the Onib-typical diamondshaped face, asymmetrical eyes, and bulbous noses. It is their expressions, however, that captivate the audience. Art critic Alice Guillermo writes in Onib Olmedo: Dimensions of Depth that the figures “gaze through and beyond [the viewer] as though following a vision.” The artist gave no marker for the social background of the mother and child and therefore, the viewer is free to interpret the work as they wish. The mother’s haunting, piercing gaze and the protective way she holds her child becomes a mirror for whatever incipient horror lies within the onlooker’s mind, and thus lies Onib’s charm – his ability to reflect upon the viewer their own fear. Onib’s figures are no mere abstractions – through his distortions, they transform into a flesh-and-blood person facing their own struggles. His works are “quiet, intense, and profound” and Mother and Child, created later in Onib’s career, profess his art at his maturity and his sharpest. (Hannah Valiente)

          Leon Gallery
        • Onib Olmedo (1937-1996) - Ang Tanong
          Mar. 09, 2024

          Onib Olmedo (1937-1996) - Ang Tanong

          Est: ₱800,000 - ₱1,040,000

          PROPERTY FROM THE DON EUGENIO “GENY” LOPEZ JR. COLLECTION Ang Tanong signed and dated 1988 (lower right) oil on canvas 36" x 24" (91 cm x 61 cm) León Gallery wishes to thank Ms. Gisella Olmedo-Araneta for confirming the authenticity of this lot PROVENANCE: Finale Art File WRITE UP: Adistinct sort of distortion marks the works of expressionist Onib Olmedo. His body of works feature dramatic contortions, extreme angles, and flat figures paired with a muted color scheme that immediately grabs its viewer’s attention. Drawn to the denizens of Sampaloc and Ermita, his canvases reflect the triumph of the human spirit in face of the anguish human frequently faces. His 1998 Ang Tanong features the Onib-typical distortion – the lone figure on the canvas is depicted with gigantic hands and a disfigured face with mismatched eyes and asymmetrical features. Most interestingly, there is not one face but two, with the second one cradled on the figure's lap as if a child. One is pressed to look into the painting to find the answers to its titular tanong: why is the figure depicted with two heads? The background suggests a slum of some sort – does this have something to do with the twoheaded figure? Ang Tanong, as the title suggests, poses more questions than answers and therein lies Onib’s charm. He paints with an almost fervent abandon, pushing distortions to its extreme to probe the depths of humanity. The viewer cannot help but press into the work to make sense of the distorted, to iron out the discrepancies and understand the incomprehensible. While there may be no clear-cut answers, Onib’s works contain a subjective depth that captures the private psyche. They are a conversation between the viewer and the artist, each exchange as different as the next. (Hannah Valiente)

          Leon Gallery
        • Onib Olmedo (1937-1996)
          Jan. 20, 2024

          Onib Olmedo (1937-1996)

          Est: ₱30,000 - ₱39,000

          Untitled (Native Kitchen) ca.1990s ink wash on paper board 30" x 22" (76 cm x 54 cm) Accompanied by a certificate issued by Ms. Gisella Olmedo-Araneta confirming the authenticity of this lot

          Leon Gallery
        • Onib Olmedo (1937-1996)
          Jan. 20, 2024

          Onib Olmedo (1937-1996)

          Est: ₱30,000 - ₱39,000

          Guava with Seven Holes signed (lower right) dated 1993 pen and ink on paper 8 1/2" x 7" (22 cm x 18 cm) Accompanied by a certificate issued by Ms. Gisella Olmedo-Araneta confirming the authenticity of this lot

          Leon Gallery
        • ONIB OLMEDO : Woman with Basket, 1984
          Nov. 26, 2023

          ONIB OLMEDO : Woman with Basket, 1984

          Est: RM1,500 - RM2,000

          Onib Olmedo was a Filipino painter acclaimed by critics as one of the major Filipino artists of the 20th century. Olmedo created a body of works that utilizes the expressionist technique of distortion to portray the inner torment experienced by modern man, evident in this work. His paintings are characterized by an implosive impact but have an uplifting and ennobling quality, celebrating the triumph of the human spirit in the face of pain and anguish. At the same time, they are social commentaries with touches of wit and irony – reflections of the artist’s quintessential, down-toearth humor. The subjects of his paintings were the denizens of Sampaloc and Ermita, including musicians, prostitutes, vendors and waiters, as well as people from the upper strata like society matrons, corporate executives and ballerinas.

          KLAS Art Auction
        • Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)
          Oct. 21, 2023

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)

          Est: ₱50,000 - ₱65,000

          Pakiramdam signed (lower right) pen and ink on paper 15” x 11” (38 cm x 28 cm) Accompanied by a certificate issued by Ms. Gisella Olmedo-Araneta confirming the authenticity of this lot LITERATURE Arriola, Fe Maria C., ed. The Body Book. Manila: GCF Books, 1993. Illustrated on page 187.

          Leon Gallery
        • Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)
          Oct. 21, 2023

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)

          Est: ₱30,000 - ₱39,000

          Untitled signed and dated 1982 (lower right) pastel on paper 23” x 18” (58 cm x 46 cm) León Gallery wishes to thank Ms. Gisella Olmedo-Araneta for confirming the authenticity of this lot

          Leon Gallery
        • Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)
          Oct. 21, 2023

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)

          Est: ₱50,000 - ₱65,000

          a.) Untitled (Front) signed and dated 1982 (lower right) charcoal on paper 18” x 12” (46 cm x 30 cm) b.) Nude (Back) charcoal on paper 18” x 12” (46 cm x 30 cm) Accompanied by a certificate issued by Ms. Gisella Olmedo-Araneta confirming the authenticity of this lot

          Leon Gallery
        • Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)
          Oct. 21, 2023

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)

          Est: ₱50,000 - ₱65,000

          a) Untitled (Front) signed and dated 1981 (lower right) pastel on paper 17” x 12” (43 cm x 30 cm) a) Untitled (Back) pastel on paper 17” x 12” (43 cm x 30 cm) León Gallery wishes to thank Ms. Gisella Olmedo-Araneta for confirming the authenticity of this lot

          Leon Gallery
        • Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)
          Oct. 21, 2023

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)

          Est: ₱100,000 - ₱130,000

          Untitled signed and dated 1981 (lower right) pastel on paper 25” x 19” (64 cm x 48 cm) León Gallery wishes to thank Ms. Gisella Olmedo-Araneta for confirming the authenticity of this lot

          Leon Gallery
        • Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)
          Oct. 21, 2023

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)

          Est: ₱50,000 - ₱65,000

          Portrait signed and dated 1982 (lower right) pastel on paper 17” x 12” (43 cm x 28 cm) León Gallery wishes to thank Ms. Gisella Olmedo-Araneta for confirming the authenticity of this lot

          Leon Gallery
        • Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)
          Oct. 21, 2023

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)

          Est: ₱50,000 - ₱65,000

          Untitled signed and dated 1982 (lower left) pen and watercolor on paper 11 1/2” x 8 1/2” (29 cm x 22 cm) León Gallery wishes to thank Ms. Gisella Olmedo-Araneta for confirming the authenticity of this lot

          Leon Gallery
        • Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)
          Oct. 21, 2023

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)

          Est: ₱50,000 - ₱65,000

          a.) Untitled (Front) signed and dated 1981 (lower right) pastel on paper 17” x 12” (43 cm x 28 cm) b.) Untitled (Back) pastel on paper 17” x 12” (43 cm x 28 cm) León Gallery wishes to thank Ms. Gisella Olmedo-Araneta for confirming the authenticity of this lot

          Leon Gallery
        • Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)
          Oct. 21, 2023

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)

          Est: ₱250,000 - ₱325,000

          Woman signed and dated 1982 (lower left) oil on canvas 29 1/2” x 21 1/2” (75 cm x 55 cm) Accompanied by a certificate signed by Bettina Olmedo confirming the authenticity of this lot

          Leon Gallery
        • Onib Olmedo (1937-1996)
          Oct. 21, 2023

          Onib Olmedo (1937-1996)

          Est: ₱5,000 - ₱6,500

          Ang Tanong 1990 print reproduction 25” x 18” (64 cm x 46 cm) This is a limited edition print in the retrospective show Three Filipino Figurative Expressionists (Onib Olmedo, Ang Kiukok and Solomon Saprid) at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in 1990 where the actual "Ang Tanong" painting was exhibited.

          Leon Gallery
        • Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) - Aling Metring
          Sep. 09, 2023

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) - Aling Metring

          Est: ₱400,000 - ₱520,000

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) Aling Metring signed and dated 1979 (lower right) oil on canvas 30" x 30" (76 cm x 76 cm) Accompanied by a certificate signed by Ms. Bettina Rodriguez-Olmedo confirming the authenticity of this lot Onib Olmedo's artistic vision ventures into the realm of human experience, a realm that transcends conventional boundaries and delves into the ineffable. With a deft hand, Olmedo orchestrates a transformation of the human form, casting it into an abstract realm that defies the confines of our reality. Through this distortion, he unearths the profound truths that course through the veins of human existence, laying bare the intricate tapestry of trials, dreams, and questions that define our journey. Olmedo's approach to art is a deliberate dance with the enigmatic facets of the human psyche. His creations are not mere compositions; they emerge as portals to the depths of our collective consciousness. Employing the figurative expressionist technique, he masterfully disrupts the conventional contours of the human figure. In this distortion, he finds a voice to encapsulate the visceral struggles that underpin human existence. The figures he conjures, obtuse and ethereal, embody the very essence of challenges faced and dreams tormented. Within the intense glare of their gaze, a magnetic tension resides—a tension that draws us into the narrative of their existence. These figures, seemingly aloof, become vessels through which we explore the labyrinthine corridors of the human soul. Through their veiled wounds, Olmedo beckons us to confront the complexities of our own experiences, bridging the gap between the canvas and the realm of introspection. Yet, amid the labyrinth of struggles, a resolute spirit emerges from the shadows. The very same figures that stand marked by life's harsh realities, rise defiantly to face the battles that life presents. Their unwavering determination is a beacon of hope that navigates the treacherous waters of despair. Olmedo paints a tableau of resilience, reminding us that within the depths of torment, the human spirit remains unbroken, undeterred by the forces that seek to confine it. (Jed Daya)

          Leon Gallery
        • Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) - Father and Son
          Sep. 09, 2023

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) - Father and Son

          Est: ₱100,000 - ₱130,000

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) Father and Son signed and dated 1982 (lower right) pastel on paper 29" x 21" (74 cm x 53 cm) Accompanied by a certificate issued by Ms. Gisella Olmedo-Araneta confirming the authenticity of this lot This pastel on paper piece reveals the artistic approach of Onib Olmedo that goes beyond external appearances to explore the human spirit. The distortion and exaggeration of their features intend to evoke emotions, complexities, and the mental states of the human condition. Olmedo‘s abiding interest in people and the world matured in the streets of Manila, particularly in Malate and Ermita. He developed a deep sympathy for the masses, it did not matter to him if they were old and blind street performers or destitute women hustling foreigners. Although the artist’s oeuvres portray the inner torment experienced by mankind in modern times, his art has struck the hearts of many and his works remain to be popular among collectors.In 1990, Olmedo mounted his first and only show at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. (Isabella Romarate)

          Leon Gallery
        • Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)
          Jul. 29, 2023

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)

          Est: ₱120,000 - ₱156,000

          Orgasm signed and dated 1990 (lower right) oil pastel on felt paper 22” x 28” (56 cm x 71 cm) Accompanied by a certificate issued by Gisella Olmedo Araneta confirming the authenticity of this lot

          Leon Gallery
        • Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)
          Jul. 29, 2023

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)

          Est: ₱80,000 - ₱104,000

          Untitled ca. 1990s oil pastel on felt paper 28” x 22” (71 cm x 56 cm) Accompanied by a certificate issued by Gisella Olmedo Araneta confirming the authenticity of this lot

          Leon Gallery
        • Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)
          Jul. 29, 2023

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)

          Est: ₱120,000 - ₱156,000

          Baguio Cottages signed and dated 1989 (lower right) oil pastel on felt paper 28” x 22” (71 cm x 56 cm) Accompanied by a certificate issued by Gisella Olmedo Araneta confirming the authenticity of this lot

          Leon Gallery
        • Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)
          Jun. 17, 2023

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)

          Est: ₱300,000 - ₱390,000

          Girl in the Mirror signed and dated 1990 (lower right) acrylic on canvas 36" x 24" (91 cm x 61 cm) PROVENANCE Finale Art File, Makati City EXHIBITED Cultural Center of the Philippines Bulwagang Juan Luna, Ang Kiukok. Solomon Saprid. Onib Olmedo. Three Filipino Figurative Expressionists, Manila, June 1 - July 22, 1990 Amanecer Building, Intramuros, Ang Kiukok. Solomon Saprid. Onib Olmedo. Three Filipino Figurative Expressionists, Manila, June 3 - July 14, 1990 LITERATURE Limbo, Ma. Salva R. Ang Kiukok. Solomon Saprid. Onib Olmedo. Three Filipino Figurative Expressionists. Manila: Galleria Bernice L and Galeria de las Islas, 1990. Published on the occasion of the 1990 exhibition of the same name at the CCP Bulwagang Juan Luna and the Amanecer Building, Intramuros.Full-color photograph and painting description on page 39. Girl in the Mirror reveals all the notable attributes of an Onib Olmedo portrait. The woman on the canvas exudes an intense aura as she stares directly at the audience. Her eyes are disproportionate, her upper lip is slightly askew, and her nose is long and bulbous. This acrylic painting was rendered with the artist’s iconic figurative expressionist approach, employing vigorous brushstrokes and a dark neutral palette. Olmedo made a name for himself owing to his unique works that go beyond external appearances to explore the human spirit. His abiding interest in people and the world as subjects of his art matured in the streets of Manila, particularly in Malate and Ermita. He developed a deep sympathy for the masses, it did not matter to him if they were old and blind street musicians or destitute women hustling foreigners. Although the artist’s oeuvres portray the inner torment experienced by mankind in modern times, his art has struck the hearts of many and his works were and remain to be popular among collectors. In 1990, Olmedo mounted his first and only show at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. (P.I.R.)

          Leon Gallery
        • Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) Nude series
          Apr. 22, 2023

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) Nude series

          Est: ₱80,000 - ₱104,000

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) Nude series signed and dated 1989 (lower right) pastel on paper 21” x 27” (53 cm x 69 cm) Accompanied by a certificate issued by Ms. Bettina Olmedo Araneta confirming the authenticity of this lot

          Leon Gallery
        • Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) Untitled
          Apr. 22, 2023

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) Untitled

          Est: ₱120,000 - ₱156,000

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) Untitled ca. 1990s oil pastel on felt paper 28” x 22” (71 cm x 56 cm) Accompanied by a certificate issued by Ms. Gisella Olmedo Araneta confirming the authenticity of this lot

          Leon Gallery
        • Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) Untitled
          Apr. 22, 2023

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) Untitled

          Est: ₱120,000 - ₱156,000

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) Untitled signed and dated 1990 (lower right) pastel on paper 22” x 28” (56 cm x 72 cm) Accompanied by a certificate issued by Ms. Gisella Olmedo Araneta confirming the authenticity of this lot

          Leon Gallery
        • Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) Untitled
          Apr. 22, 2023

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) Untitled

          Est: ₱60,000 - ₱78,000

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) Untitled signed and dated 1996 (lower right) watercolor and pen and ink on paper 11” x 8” (28 cm x 20 cm) Accompanied by a certificate issued by Mrs. Gisella Olmedo Araneta confirming the authenticity of this lot LITERATURE: Olmedo, Onib. In My Life: Soul Portraits by Onib Olmedo. Makati: Ayala Foundation, Inc., 2010. Full color illustration on page 81. This portrait of a young man bears all the hallmarks of an Onib Olmedo figurative expressionist painting. The ears are exaggeratedly large. The upper lip is slightly askew. The nose has an abnormally bulbous lower portion and is also lopsided. But the most arresting feature is the look of intensity in his eyes. It impacts the viewer the impression that this young man is out to take on the world. He does not know what the future may bring. But he is determined to overcome whatever obstacles may come his way. To his mind, there are really no problems— only challenges that present opportunities for personal growth and development. There are no adversities — only situations that could strengthen his character. This portrait exudes the intense aura of a young man looking into the future which holds the promise of his most cherished dreams being fulfilled.

          Leon Gallery
        • Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)
          Feb. 18, 2023

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)

          Est: ₱140,000 - ₱182,000

          PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF A DISTINGUISHED COUPLE Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) Untitled signed and dated 1994 (lower right) pastel on paper 22" x 27 1/2" (56 cm x 70 cm) León Gallery wishes to thank Mrs. Gisella Olmedo-Araneta for confirming the authenticity of this lot Onib Olmedo, a leading expressionist artist in the country, made a name for himself for his highly original works which go beyond external appearances to explore the human spirit. His intense and abiding interest in people and the world as subjects of his art matured in the streets of Manila, particularly in Malate and Ermita. From the destitute women hustling foreigners to the old and blind street musicians, he developed a deep sympathy for the masses. The expressionist mood in Olmedo’s oeuvres is fused with an absorbing interest in form, since he was not primarily concerned with the plane of external appearances. He composed his figures not only on the surface but also in-depth, interpenetrating one another and creating the effect of a wraithlike apparition. The ‘90s was a memorable decade for Olmedo. In 1990, he mounted his first and only show at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Two years later, in 1992, he received the Thirteen Artists Award and also became a recipient of awards from the Internationale Exposition des Peintures at the Château Musée de Cagnes-sur-Mer, France. Then, in 1994, this pastel piece was made. After two years, Olmedo passed away in 1996. (P.I.R.)

          Leon Gallery
        • Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)
          Feb. 18, 2023

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)

          Est: ₱200,000 - ₱260,000

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) Portrait of a Woman ca. 1990s acrylic on canvas 36" x 24" (91 cm x 61 cm) Accompanied by a certificate issued by Ms. Gisella Olmedo-Araneta confirming the authenticity of this lot There is a sense of unease and familiarity that makes this particular piece by the renowned modernist Onib Olmedo so captivating and profound. Olmedo was a pioneer of the figurative expressionist movement that defined the Filipino visual arts landscape of the 60s and 70s. His style defied the conventions of the genre through his exaggerated forms, distorted dimensions, and amplified symmetry. His portraits captured the spirit of the age, reflecting not only his style’s core principles, but the burgeoning energy that defined the country’s sociopolitical and cultural atmosphere. Thus his works were not created in an attempt to beautify or romanticize the world around him, but rather to unearth the realities hidden within our collective experiences. (J.D.)

          Leon Gallery
        • Attribution to Onib Olmedo
          Jan. 22, 2023

          Attribution to Onib Olmedo

          Est: ₱50,000 - ₱65,000

          The Apartment 2016 edition of 40 fiberglass reinforced resin, acrylic and oil 23” x 16” x 12” (58 cm x 40 cm x 30cm) Accompanied by a certificate issued by Secret Fresh and Ms. Gisella O. Araneta confirming the authenticity of this lot

          Leon Gallery
        • Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)
          Jan. 21, 2023

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)

          Est: ₱75,000 - ₱97,500

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) Untitled oil pastel on felt paper 27 1/2” x 21” (70 cm x 53 cm) Accompanied by a certificate issued by Ms. Gisella Olmedo Araneta confirming the authenticity of this lot

          Leon Gallery
        • Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)
          Jan. 21, 2023

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)

          Est: ₱75,000 - ₱97,500

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) Untitled oil pastel on felt paper 27 1/4” x 21” (70 cm x 53 cm) Accompanied by a certificate issued by Ms. Gisella Olmedo Araneta confirming the authenticity of this lot

          Leon Gallery
        • Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)
          Jan. 21, 2023

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996)

          Est: ₱15,000 - ₱19,500

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) Untitled signed and dated 1978 (lower right) pen and ink on paper 16” x 11 1/2” (41 cm x 29 cm)

          Leon Gallery
        • Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) Portrait of Barbara Gonzalez
          Dec. 03, 2022

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) Portrait of Barbara Gonzalez

          Est: ₱100,000 - ₱130,000

          Portrait of Barbara Gonzalez signed and dated 1980 (lower right) pastel on paper 22 1/2" x 17 1/2" (57 cm x 44 cm) Onib Olmedo’s figurative, surrealist-expressionist portraits depict humans as imbued with torment and anguish. When Olmedo created this piece of Gonzalez, the latter had just become the chairman and president of Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, Inc. Holding such a high position meant greater responsibilities in handling various engagements for Gonzalez. “Onib Olmedo was a very good friend of mine. He was one of the judges for the Guhit Bulilit contest of Coca- Cola Foundation Philippines, Inc., of which, at some point in my career, I was chairman and president. He painted this portrait of me looking crabby because of the hassles of running the contest,” recalls Gonzalez. (A.M.)

          Leon Gallery
        • Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) Pair of Nudes
          Dec. 03, 2022

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) Pair of Nudes

          Est: ₱100,000 - ₱130,000

          Pair of Nudes signed and dated 1986 (lower right) each charcoal on paper 19 1/4"x121/4"(49cmx31cm)each Each piece is accompanied by a certificate confirming the authenticity of this lot PROVENANCE Estate of the artist There is a sense of unease and familiarity that make these pieces by the renowned modernist Onib Olmedo so captivating and profound. Olmedo was a pioneer of the figurative expressionist movement that defined the Filipino visual arts landscape of the 60s and 70s. His style defied the conventions of the genre through his exaggerated forms, distorted dimensions, and amplified symmetry. His portraits captured the spirit of the age, reflecting not only his style’s core principles, but the burgeoning energy that defined the country’s sociopolitical and cultural atmosphere. Thus his works were not created in an attempt to beautify or romanticise the world around him, but rather to unearth the realities hidden within our collective experiences. This untitled pastel on paper piece seemingly showcases Olmedo understanding of human nature. An understanding that welcomes and accepts complexity that often comes with relating to other beings. Despite this complexity, Olmedo’s piece accepts the situation in a similar way that Albert Camus’ Sisyphus remains steadfast in his unending turmoil, through a state of bliss built upon the acceptance of human nature. (J.D.)

          Leon Gallery
        • Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) - Bionic Syndrome (Sepia)
          Oct. 23, 2022

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) - Bionic Syndrome (Sepia)

          Est: ₱30,000 - ₱39,000

          Onib Olmedo (1937 - 1996) Bionic Syndrome (Sepia) 2016 fiberglass, reinforced resin, acrylic and oil 17” x 17” x 8” (43 cm x 43 cm x 20 cm) Accompanied by a certificate issued by Secret Fresh and Ms. Gisella O. Araneta confirming the authenticity of this lot

          Leon Gallery
        • M. C. Cacho and Onib Olmedo
          Oct. 22, 2022

          M. C. Cacho and Onib Olmedo

          Est: ₱10,000 - ₱13,000

          M. C. Cacho and Onib Olmedo Untitled signed and dated 1994 (lower right) pastel on paper 15 1/2” x 11” (39 cm x 28 cm)

          Leon Gallery
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