Lao Lian Ben is a Filipino painter celebrated for his minimalist abstractions and meditative canvases. He graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of the East, and held his first solo exhibition at Solidaridad Galleries in 1973, marking his emergence as a significant figure in Philippine contemporary art.
Lao won several awards early in his career, including First Prize for “Dead Birth” at the Shell National Students Art Competition in 1968, an Honorable Mention for “Tryst” at the Art Association of the Philippines Annual in 1976, and the Mobil Art Award in 1983. He was also a recipient of the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Thirteen Artists Award in 1976, recognizing his innovative contributions to modern Philippine art.
A minimalist artist, Lao’s work is often associated with the spirit and aesthetics of Zen. His process involves layering textures and superimposing found objects, often drawn from nature, to create surfaces that embody quiet tension and meditative serenity. He substantiates soft tensions of flawed registry and vibrated lines, using them to advantage in order to evoke an unmistakable aura of contemplative stillness.
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