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).