Research Paper

LACABA, MIKAELA O.
11-EPHESIANS TTh(7:30 AM-9:30 AM)

CHAPTER 1
THE ARTWORK AND ITS OVERVIEW
“Man on Fire”
By Ang Kiukok
In this day and age, the awareness of the current poor unhealthy state of the country
amongst the Filipinos, especially the youth, has been widespread. Poverty and inequality in the
Philippines remains a challenge. The continuous growth in terms of knowledge and the hunger
for order and justice has greatly affected the mindset and behavior of the Filipino people today.
These problems are made known through various artworks like posters, paintings,
photos, etc. Many artists today are deeply committed to creating work that addresses pressing
social issues and changes the way we perceive the world.
This painting created by one of the most prominent painters in contemporary Philippine
art, depicts a world where poverty, suffering, cruelty, and violence abound. Ang Kiukok illustrated
in vivid, cubistic images that showed the terror of their times. The painting shows a shocking
image of the human condition in anguish and despair.
Kiukok’s painting is more than just a representation of anguish and suffering, it serves as
a reminder to a society where integrity and moral rectitude receive more lip service than practice.
This art hopes to awaken and perhaps alter the deluded priorities of a world where the basic
drive is towards the acquisition of wealth and the deception of one’s fellow man.
CHAPTER 2
THE RELEVANCY OF THE ARTWORK
The arts gave new meaning to life. We may live in a concrete world where almost every
physical thing we see is defined but the arts allowed us to express our inner creativity and raw
talent through various artworks and art pieces. These masterpieces often ignite powerful
emotions within the people who see these works of art aside from them being visually appealing
to the eyes. While some use the arts as an escape from the daily grind, professional artists make
a living from the making of these beautiful art pieces. Each of the arts has unique way making us
use our senses to perceive the world. Painting and arts, in totality, helps human beings to
perceive the world in a profound and unique way.
In order to fully comprehend the meaning and the purpose of the artwork, let us look
into depth the view of the painter by taking into account his life experiences and the environment
he had to work with.
Ang Kiukok's success stems mainly from the honesty of his art. Safe, soothingly-pretty
subjects are not his cup of tea. He knows life isn't a bed of roses. At least, not roses without
thorns. It is one of Ang Kiukok's strengths that he never allowed himself to be bulldozed by the
public's whims, even at the risk of remaining unrecognised and unpatronised throughout his
lifetime--a risk he forced himself to accept as a matter of course right from the start. He does not
waste time and paint dwelling on the native festivals so stereotypical of Philippine art. Almost
every painting seems twisted with outrage or internal suffering. And all of this is because most
of his paintings were made during the gruesome rule of Ferdinand Marcos, who held the
Philippines under martial law throughout the 70s.
Kiukok's paintings serve as reminders to a society where integrity and moral rectitude
receive more lip service than practice. His art hopes to awaken and perhaps alter the deluded
priorities of a world where the basic drive is toward the acquisition of wealth and the deception
of one's fellow man.
Even up to this day, the painting’s purpose still remains relevant as the challenges
brought upon humanity because of poverty and inequality also remains.
CHAPTER 3
CRITIQUE
Kiukok’s working on the Man on Fire is an exceptional example of a contemporary art

that has influences from cubism, surrealism, and expressionism. To begin, Kiukok creates a
scene that seems to consist of agony, pain, and suffering.
He works exclusively with themes that does not necessarily conform to what the society
suggests or wants from his works. He explicitly shows the terrible times which gave the viewers
a different take or different perception on his art.
Ang Kiukok does a great job of keeping the artwork OBJECTIVE by using LOCAL COLORS
that would represent the emotions to be felt when the artwork is seen.
The flames, as seen in the artwork, is perfectly represented using geometric shapes and
the unity and harmony of colors. He does a great job of keeping intact the same themes and
elements as the original; however, he portrays these elements in a contemporary light. Again,
he uses LOCAL COLORS, but they are INTENSE, HIGHLIGHTING and drawing the viewer’s attention
to the artwork and its elements and further accentuating the symbolic themes running
throughout his piece that now take on a modern day significance.

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LACABA, MIKAELA O.

11-EPHESIANS TTh(7:30 AM-9:30 AM)

THE RELEVANCY OF THE ARTWORK

Kiukok’s working on the Man on Fire is an exceptional example of a contemporary art

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