Cid Reyes (Ceasar Victor P. Reyes) is a Filipino painter, art critic, and writer whose career bridges creative practice and scholarship. He studied at De La Salle University, the Accademia di Belle Arti in Rome, and the City Literary Institute in London, gaining a strong foundation in both classical and contemporary approaches.
As a painter, Reyes is known for his abstract expressionist canvases, marked by bold brushwork, dynamic color, and a sense of spontaneity. His works often explore movement and energy, reflecting his belief in painting as a direct extension of emotion and thought.
Alongside his studio practice, Reyes built a distinguished career as an advertising executive, art critic, and author. He has written extensively on Philippine art, producing books such as Conversations on Philippine Art, The Graphic Art of BenCab, Thirty Years of Malang’s Women, Dr. Gregorio Lim: His Life in Art, Valeria, Arturo Luz, and J. Elizalde Navarro. He also co-authored Art Philippines and Southeast Asian Art Today, helping to frame Philippine art within a broader regional and global context.
His contributions have been recognized with numerous honors. He won the Art Criticism Award from the Art Association of the Philippines in 1978, was named Art Critic of the Year by Art Manila Newspaper, and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Creative Guild. For many years, he wrote the weekly art column Gallery-Hopping for Today, making art criticism accessible to a wider audience.
Through his dual role as painter and critic, Reyes has enriched the understanding and appreciation of Philippine modern and contemporary art, leaving a legacy as both a creator and chronicler of culture.
