Art world mourns as National Artist for Sculpture Napoleon Abueva passes away at 88

National Artist for Visual Arts Napoleon Abueva on Friday passed away at the age of 88.

The news was confirmed to GMA News by his brother Jose through a text message.

The family has yet to reveal the cause of his death.

Abueva suffered a stroke in May 2014 and was, according to updates on his Facebook page, discharged from the hospital in February 2016.

Abueva was hospitalized again in December 31, 2017 and his daughter Amihan on January 28 shared that he was confined at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute and in need of transfusions.

The National Artist Award for Visual Arts - Sculpture was conferred to Abueva in 1976. He was 46 years old at the time, making him the youngest artist to ever receive the award.

His major pieces include the Nine Muses at the University of the Philippines in Diliman and Bohol Blood Compact in his native province of Bohol. 

The handles to door of the National Museum of the Philippines were masterfully designed by Abueva as well.

In 2013-2014, his never-before-seen sculptures were exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila.

"Dambana ng Pasko" and "My Chapel" (adjacent left) by Napoleon Abueva were among his sculptures exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila in 2013. Ren Aguila

Abueva's "The Sunburst", the focal point at The Peninsula Manila lobby. Photo: Karen Galarpe.

In a statement on Facebook, the National Museum said that they "mourn the demise today of National Artist Napoleon Abueva" and extended condolences to his family and loved ones.

The Metropolitan Museum of Manila also issued a statement saying, "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of National Artist Napoleon Abueva. Rest in Peace, Mang Billy. Salamat."

Former First Lady Imelda Marcos greets National Artist Napoleon Abueva during the latter's book launching in Makati in October 2011. Danny Pata

"Please pray for the eternal repose of the soul of our beloved N.A. Napoleon ‘Billy’ Abueva who has joined his Creator. Our deepest condolences to the family," sculptor Ramon Orlina said on Facebook.

Cultural Center of the Philippines vice president and artistic director Chris Millado expressed his sorrow, too, and advised the public that details of state necrological honors at the Cultural Center of the Philippines will soon be announced. —Aya Tantiangco/KG, GMA News