Aster Tecson was a Filipino painter and multidisciplinary artist whose work drew deeply from his years living in Sagada and Baguio. During this period, he created a series of striking images of Cordillera Indigenous warriors—works that art historian Alice Guillermo noted were visually connected to the documentary photographs of Eduardo Masferre. Tecson’s paintings are known for their intricate detail and layered compositions, shifting between hyperrealist precision and surrealist atmosphere.
Aligned with the social realist movement, Tecson used his art to confront the lived struggles of Indigenous communities. His works address themes of ancestral land rights, militarization, human rights violations, and the broader forces of imperialism. Through these narratives, Tecson positioned his practice as both cultural documentation and political advocacy, creating a body of work that remains visually compelling and socially resonant.
