The artist’s iconic expressionist palette and techniques are again on full display in “Vivace,” his latest solo exhibit staged by Salcedo Auctions.
From being a sought-after baritone to one of the country’s most in-demand artists, the journey this Renaissance man has chosen to take is certainly more unconventional than most.
And after decades in art, multi-awarded expressionist artist Norberto “Lito” Carating shows no signs of slowing down. His ongoing 13-piece solo exhibition, which is running both physically at NEX Tower and online until June 19, reaffirms his boundless talent and amazing staying power.
The road to Carating’s artistic career was not a straightforward one. Though he finished undergraduate studies at the College of Fine Arts of the University of the Philippines in 1971, Carating went on to become a professional opera singer–and quite a successful one at that! Foregoing the stability that a job at an advertising agency would offer him, Carating performed locally and abroad in Canada and the United States as a highly sought-after baritone.
At 37, after more than a dozen years of performing professionally, Carating realized that a performer’s career was short-lived, while an artist could mature and grow over time. And so he took up his brush again, progressing from the surreal forms of his Lamanlupa and Anilao Series to rigid abstractions and expressionist works.
As one of the first to use acrylic paint when it was introduced to the country in the 1970s, Carating has continuously experimented with different techniques to apply paint on the canvas and to bring out the nuances in the colors of his work, contrasting bright saturated colors with the rich metallic tones that he’s so well known today.
“We believe that now is the best time for new collectors to discover and fall in love with Lito’s work,” shares Victor Silvino, Salcedo Auctions’ managing director. “As one of the senior, established expressionist artists in the country, Lito never fails to surprise his long-time and new clients with his pieces. We’re excited because ‘Vivace’ showcases Lito’s wide range of colors and techniques–it’s almost like a mini retrospective of how his work has evolved over the years.”
Collectors of Carating also look forward to the show, with a few of them agreeing to be interviewed about his works in their collections.
Development economist and long-time friend of Lito’s, Shahid Zahid, shares, “It’s interesting because we had similar views on where art was coming from and the progression. What impressed me most about Lito’s work is he was actually developing a style that was coming from the more traditional style and honing it down, pairing it down to basically simple colors and forms. It was not something that he decided one day, ‘Oh, this is simple to do. Let’s do it.’ He had arrived at his own style after practicing for many decades.”
Businessman Manny V. Pangilinan doesn’t just collect art. He also enjoys seeing them regularly. Such was the case with a large Carating canvas (one of at least a dozen in the tycoon’s collection) that takes pride of place in the sitting room of Pangilinan’s PLDT office.
It’s the focal point in a symmetric vignette that welcomes the business tycoon’s visitors. While his taste may shift, there are constants to the businessman’s criteria for choosing art. According to a source, Pangilinan is drawn to colors and uplifting themes. More importantly, he must like the piece. “His response to art is very personal, and visceral,” says the source. “The artist’s name and reputation isn’t the end all and be all as far as his criteria for collecting is concerned.”
Aside from commenting on his art, Tessie Fajardo, another long-time friend and collector of Lito’s paintings, also shares some insights of him as an artist. “Simple lang siya. Ang gusto lang niya (he’s a simple guy who’s happiest staging regular shows) is for him to have regular shows. He also posts his shows or his works on Facebook, so his collectors are in touch or updated. I think that’s his way of marketing his art. Mahiyain siya, ayaw niya magsalita sa mga (he’s a shy person who’s not comfortable speaking in) big groups. But he is very disciplined. Every morning, he paints. As in every day! Usually he wants to go out after he paints. Tsaka mabait na tao. Grabe yung love nya for (he’s a truly kind, devoted person) his parents and his family.”
“Vivace” by Nortberto Carating runs until June 19 at NEX Tower, 6786 Ayala Ave. The exhibition is co-presented by Salcedo Auctions Exclusive Banking Partner HSBC Premier
For inquiries, please call +63 917 825 7449 or email info@salcedoauctions.com
