Francisco Villanueva is a Filipino sculptor known for his clay works inspired by ancient architecture and historic Philippine churches. He began exhibiting these pieces in Manila in the early 1970s, developing a distinctive practice rooted in architectural memory and cultural heritage. By the 1980s, his work had reached international audiences through exhibitions in New York, Los Angeles, Riyadh, and other venues in Saudi Arabia.
Villanueva paused his artistic career for twenty‑six years to serve in public office, eventually becoming mayor of Bais in Negros Oriental. After this long hiatus, he returned to the art world with a renewed focus, presenting a solo exhibition in 2009 that marked his formal comeback.
His later works include large table sculptures of notable Philippine churches—such as Malate, Binondo, Tigbauan and Miag‑ao in Iloilo, and Baras in Rizal—rendered with a craftsman’s precision and a historian’s eye. Villanueva also created sculptural interpretations of European architectural landmarks, including the Roman Forum and the Portico d’Ottavia in Italy. His piece Roman Coliseum was featured in the Asian Cultural Council’s 2010 art auction and exhibition, underscoring his continued relevance in both local and international art circles.
Villanueva’s practice stands out for its devotion to architectural form, cultural memory, and the preservation of historical structures through sculptural interpretation.
