Artist and art educator ABE L. OROBIA believes that forging one’s own path is of greater significance than relying on inherited fame
During the height of the pandemic, artist Eleazar Abraham L. Orobia, better known as Abe, was one of those artists who didn’t stop teaching art, even though there was difficulty communicating it. A lecturer at the College of St. Benilde, Abe had a full setup, a dual cam and recorded art sessions via Zoom. “Even though sometimes the sessions are long, my students appreciate it. Other online study sessions were stressful for students during the pandemic. Maybe, our sessions made them happy since it was something new,” shares Abe.
Abe hails from a lineage of artists. He belongs to the Luna bloodline; yet, Abe believes that one’s greatness should not solely rely on having a prestigious family member. “Whether you’re a son or a grandchild. My mantra is to make your own path to become great yourself. Where you’re good at, that’s your goal because the circumstances of the time given to you are different,” he says. At the age of five, he achieved the distinction of being the youngest participant in two group exhibitions organized by the First Filipino Good Samaritan Artists. These exhibitions took place in the Philamlife Pavilion at U.N. Avenue, Manila, in 1989. Abe, a Fine Arts graduate from the University of Santo Tomas, has participated in various group exhibitions and developed his own solo exhibitions. He was the recipient of the TOYM (The Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines) Award in 2022 for his long-standing artistry, education, and cultural activities. His recent showcase titled Unconquerable at the Pinto Art Museum in 2023 explores the themes of time and nature, emphasizing their all-encompassing nature. However, the exhibition primarily focuses on the tenacious strength of the human soul, portrayed by crumpled papers.
Last year, he also created several pieces for Kinetix+, the first luxury boutique gym in the country, which he collectively named “Bodies of Motion” featuring grayscale line art pieces of people participating in strength training. “It’s about energy. It’s about power and strength,” he shares. Know more about the artist as he shares his creative process and upcoming exhibits.
How long have you been painting and what prompted you to start painting?
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