ARTIST FOR OTHERS

Sculptor, painter, educator and lecturer, Ben-Hur Villanueva regularly expresses his artistic flair and creative passion at art exhibitions in Baguio City and Manila. His artistry was also brought to New York, Paris, Tokyo, Singapore, Helsinki, and Havana, just to name a few.

However, in his humble workshop at the Arko Ni Apo (Ilocano term for Ark of the Lord) Art Gallery in Baguio city, he is much more than a visual artist. There, he reveals his personal compositions (brass, metal, wood and oil) along with special stories behind each masterpiece. Longer encounters at his gallery offer profound lessons on his art, life, family and his relationships with other people.

His 30-year teaching experience at the Ateneo De Manila University inspired him to live up to the institution’s vision of Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam which means “For the greater Glory of God and A Man for Others”. He personally believes that what the Lord has given us; we should give back to Him. Our capacity to do well in any chosen endeavor is significantly appreciated and achieved only if we share it with others.

And this is the reason why Ben-Hur travels the country giving seminars and spearheading art-related activities with professionals, educators, students, young artists, television/film writers and directors, street children, priests and sisters from various congregations and the like.

“Every individual has his/her artistic inclinations and propensity be it visual, music, dance, literary, or fashion and so he/she has the right to enhance and utilize it creatively,” says this “Artist for Others” . “Sharing it with others is what makes our life more meaningful and blessed”.

His noted sculptures are as follows:

• “Among Supremo”, an Andres Bonifacio monument (a winning entry which involves 21 famous Filipino artists) Global City, Taguig city
• “Kapit-Bisig” (a trophy/sculpture given by former President Corazon Aquino to the Filipino people in remembrance of the 1987 EDSA Revolution Anniversary)
• St. Aloysius Gonzaga-St Louis University, Baguio City
• Risen Christ-Caleruega, Nasugbu, Batangas,
• Thy Will Be Done-St. Paul College, Quezon City
• A special sculpture entry (Gold medalist award for the Art Association of the Philippines’ 33rd art competition)

Ben-Hur has also served as a president for the Society of Philippine Sculptors (SPS); Art Director for the Ephpheta Foundation for the Blind, Inc. and Vice President-Treasurer for Unesco’s International Art Association (IAA).

A HAVEN OF LIFE EXPERIENCE

Marney's Photography Works
































Marvie's Mother & Child Series






























(A Press Release for the Las Vegas Family Art Exhibit, 2005)

Just a few miles from the heart of Baguio City (northern province of the Philippines) lays a simple but inviting sanctuary of creative art works. Artist and gallery owner, Ben-Hur G. Villanueva believes that Arko Ni Apo Art Gallery has a special gift of touching the viewer’s life once the place is visited because any individual who walks into his haven has something unique to share with. It may not necessarily be an art piece or arty expertise but it could also be something elusive, a word of comfort or praise, laughter, a challenge … something to make your day/stay fruitful. Further, Ben-Hur would always stress that whatever we accomplish, we owe it all to the Lord, our Creator, so what He has given is only right to share with others and give back the praise for the greater glory of God. This is also the reason why he adheres to the concept of being an “Artist for Others.”

Sculptor, painter and educator, Ben-Hur G. Villanueva, was an art teacher at the country’s prestigious university, Ateneo de Manila University for 30 years and having such experience made him an even more profound being who is passionate for people and life thereby living up to the Atenean spirit, “Man for Others” (in his case, “Artist for Others”). Most of his works of are bronze sculptures (other mediums are wood, metal, stone and a few paintings), which, depict the lives of Cordillera (tribes of the north) workers, ballerinas, musicians and maternal figures. His celebrated monumental masterpieces are as follows: “Ang Supremo” (Global City, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig), “St. Aloysius Gonzaga” (St. Louis University, Baguio City), “The Resurrection” (St. Paul College, Quezon City) and “Thy Will Be Done” (Caleruega Retreat House, Nasugbu, Batangas).

Lolit, Ben-Hur’s wife, is the gallery’s Treasurer and Operations Head. Her artistic propensity lies on her remarkable skills in money matters, liaison tasks and accommodation to all family member and guests/visitors.

The youngest sibling, Joyette is a graduate of the University of the Philippines (Visual Communications Major). She has worked with Rustan’s Corporation and in some reputable animation studios in Manila and specializes in oil and watercolour. So far, her major commissioned artwork is the set of “14 Stations of the Cross “oil paintings at the Ateneo de Manila University Chapel (Grade School Department) and a family mural at home.

Marney is a photography hobbyist. Her subjects include land and seascapes, children, plants and flowers and people in action. Indeed, her lens-produced works has shown magnificent creation of beauty, perfect shade, composition and meticulousness.

The family and gallery PR writer cum painter is Marvie. She started her art endeavours by painting designs on plain shirts and converting oil pastel paintings to Christmas cards. She had various jobs too concerning the aesthetic scene (curator to a local art gallery/museum and secretary to the Society of Philippine Sculptors). Currently, she enjoys producing oil paintings with themes of Mother and Child, Fishes and abstract/mosaic assembly.

And last but certainly not the least is Miggy. Miguel Karlos is Ben-Hur’s youngest grandson. As early as the age of one year and nine months, Miggy has already shown his artistic inclinations a lot of mediums like oil, crayons, pencil and modelling clay.

From sculptures to paintings, ingenious designed mirrors to coffee mugs, tribal/ethnic music to real life profound stories, Arko Ni Apo Art Gallery is truly much more than an art refuge. It is a refuge of life experience that will go a long, long way.(By: Marvie V. Mouton)

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