The last time Augusto ‘Gus’ Albor gazed at his work was in 1974 in Manila. It would not be until 50 years later when he would get to see them again, this time, in Cebu.

“Parang matagal kong nawalang mga anak ang feeling… finally, I have this chance to be reunited with them,” he told GMA Regional TV News.

Considered one of the most successful artists of his time, Albor created ‘Panaginip,’ ‘Vision,’ and ‘Curious White’ for his solo show in 1974.

He was just 25 years old.

These three pieces would then become part of what would be called The Philippine Center New York Core Collection of 1974. The artworks in the collection were gathered by a team assigned by then First Lady Imelda Marcos to represent Filipino national identity in the United States where The Philippine Center was opened.

The collection also featured works of National Artists Vicente Manansala, Cesar Legaspi, Hernando Ocampo, Benedicto Cabrera, Ang Kiukok, Arturo Luz, Federico Aguilar Alcuaz, Jerry Elizalde Navarro, and Jose Joya.

Since then, the artworks stayed at the Philippine Center in New York.

Forty-six years later in 2020, after months of planning, 115 out of 120 art pieces found their way back to the Philippines on loan to the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP).

Among the 115 pieces are ‘Panaginip,’ ‘Vision,’ and ‘Curious White.’

On August 26, 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, they arrived at the National Museum of Fine Arts in Manila.

Three years later, 96 pieces were flown south to NMP-Cebu when the museum opened its doors to the public.

The exhibition in NMP-Cebu would run for a few months and in February 2024 culminated with ‘Artist Talk’ sessions that featured Albor, now 76 years old.

SHARING

Albor flew to Cebu from Manila for a few days to talk about his work and share some tricks of the trade with students and budding artists, as well as with art aficionados.

There, participants asked questions, tried their hand on techniques Albor shared, and had their work evaluated by the master.

One fan, Edmond Jufel Mendoza, a student of Cebu Institute of Technology University, could not contain his excitement when Albor signed his on-site sketch of the artist.

They were lucky to be in his presence, one can say, but while a stroke of luck can change the course of one’s undertakings, Albor says hard work remains key, even in art.

As distinctiveness in work can set an artist apart, Albor said consistency is what young artists must strive to achieve.

“To be able to get there, it’s hard work and luck. A combination of both, definitely. There are people there who are luckier. Talent, hard work, and luck,” he said.

It is also important for artists to never stop learning.

“Once he discovers himself, then it would be good to be consistent. And try to discover new things,” Albor said.

After all, especially to those who foray into modern art, Albor said fresh ideas are a must.

“They can do figurative paintings, still, but they can do it in such a way that it’s not identified as someone else’s work,” he said.

“Modern art is about new ideas. That’s the key. That’s a good line to remember,” he said.

EMINENT ABSTRACTIONIST

Albor is known in the art community as an “eminent abstractionist.”

His works in The Philippine Center New York Core Collection of 1974 are a nod to this concept.

‘Panaginip’ was created with oil on canvas and aluminum while ‘Vision’ was created with oil on aluminum. ‘Curious’ white was created with oil on wood and metal.

Albor shared that ‘Panaginip,’ the biggest piece among the three, came to him in his dream while he was preparing for his exhibit in 1974.

“The biggest piece was really part of my dream while I was preparing my exhibit. It was one of those nights,” he said.

Putting the dream into reality, he said, “It’s not literal. It’s surreal.”

To appreciate abstract art, Albor said an observer must not look for the literal but should allow his or her emotions feel for the art.

“They should not look for a recognizable figure… they should not look for a landscape… it’s a feeling.”

But how must one appreciate art in general?

“They’re entitled to their own interpretation. It’s a manifestation of something, based on my experience… it gets manifested,” Albor said.

EDUCATION

While his talent is inherent, Albor is also a product of learning.

A graduate of the University of the East in Manila, he received a one-year British Council grant to study at the West Surrey College of Art in the United Kingdom.

He also participated in major exhibitions in the Philippines and abroad, broadening his knowledge and experience further.

In 1976, he became a recipient of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Thirteen Artists Awards.

A year later in 1977, he won an award for his painting in the annual AAP competition.

Many years later, he continued sharing his gift through commissioned work, among others. He admitted, though, that he does not hesitate to keep to himself the pieces that made him happy.

“It varies but the most simple ones, I tend to keep. Mas madali kong ginawa pero I had fun doing it, parang talagang, there’s purity, ako talaga,” he shared.

In honor of his roots and as a way of paying it forward, he plans to put up a gallery in Albay for Bicolano artists.

To those who are yet to find their way into the world of art, Albor's words can paint meaning: "Work hard. Be inspired by many things. Life itself is an inspiration."