Leon Pacunayen

Born: 1935


He graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Santo Tomas in 1957. A master watercolorist, he took up advance studies in painting, etching, and restoration at the Regge Accademia di Belli Arti, Ornamantale di San Giacomo, Italy. He held his first solo show at the PAG in 1959. He had numerous solo exhibits at the Luz Gallery, the Museum of Philippine Art, and in many galleries in Italy. Among his First Prizes were the AAP annual art competition in 1959 and the Primo Concorso Internazionale di Pittura Mazzanon Romano, Italy, in 1966. Among his Gold Medals were Premio Montecompatr in 1967 and Premio Republica di San Marino in 1968. Lyd Arguilla wrote of his work, “Mountains, clouds, and skies are treated in terms of mass, weight and space. Using the wet technique, the artist depicts mountains that hug the earth, skies that are open, and clouds that float.” His work is subject of the book An Artist Returns by art critic Emmanuel Torres.

Fisherman’s Village