13 Answers: Abe Luna Orobia

Depicted as a fully accessorized bare-breasted Igorota maiden with a Ferris wheel as halo to symbolize commercialization of Cordillera culture, Abe Luna Orobia’s 48” x 24” oil on canvas, “Ang Birhen ng Ferris Wheel (Ang Unang Perya)” (2016), is an allegorical work that comments on how the natives were displayed as living exhibits at the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904. Entitled “Philippine Living Exhibits,” it is blurbed as “better than a trip through the Philippine island.” Among its highlights were the “40 different tribes, six (reconstructed/set-up) villages, 70,000 exhibits, 130 buildings and 725 native soldiers” who are described as head-hunters and dog-eaters.
Orobia comes from a family of artists. His father, Rogelio Orobia, is an impressionist painter and founder of the Kapisanan ng mga Pintor sa Pilipinas Atbp. Sining Inc. His mother, Fe, was from the lineage of the patriotic Luna family. A Painting-major graduate at the College of Fine Arts and Design of the University of Sto. Tomas, he is currently an instructor and lecturer at the College of Saint Benilde’s School of Design and Arts. With a figurative style, he counts seven one-man shows and 77 group exhibitions to date. Among his achievements as an educator, he was being invited as a lecturer in three prestigious schools and graduate program in Indonesia in 2009.  
“Ang Birhen ng Ferris Wheel (Ang Unang Perya)” will be exhibited at the “Perya” banner exhibit, “Looking for Juan,” by Canvas Center for Art, New Ventures and Sustainable Development at the UP Vargas Museum opening June 8, 2016.
What fascinates you the most about art? Content then the craftsmanship of the artist. Skill will develop overtime through hard work and continuous practice but content is the soul of the work.   
What training did you get as an artist? I started at a young age. My father taught me to use several medium, guided and supported my career. Mostly, I learned a lot by watching him do his art. I am a keen observer so basically I just transfer or adapt the techniques on my style. As a child, I worked on multi-figure arrangements which translate to my art now into super-detailed compositions. Art-making is an everyday challenge, in fact, you cannot teach people how to draw or paint but rather guide, encourage and inspire them. Each technique may differ from the other. It is like solving a mathematical problem; you can add, subtract, multiply, divide and the like because at the end of the day the artist (the creator) is his or her own judge how to solve the riddles of his work. The artist is his own critic. There are some standard technical know-how to memorize but it will only get you as far by being to safe or to academician. Art must answer a need, firstly the creator to be satisfied by it and secondly to convey it’s message to the audience.                                     
Do you paint for money or pleasure? I am a college instructor by profession. I teach art, design and history. Nevertheless, I paint and try as much as possible being relevant and visible in the art scene. I am an artist and educator. I paint using my advocacy for the love of the country. I call this contextualized or inculturated art. I paint not just Filipino-themed subjects with symbolisms and historical backgrounds but to answer what is becoming a Filipino. On the other hand, I would be a hypocrite if I will say I don’t need money. Everything revolves around money. It is not realistic and very impractical to support your art without budget. Art is very subjective, some may claim theirs is universal in content but still art answers differently to each viewer. Art without philosophy is like a body without a soul.                    
Who do you think is the best Filipino visual artist? I always look on masters how they did it. On becoming great like them, you should not follow their footsteps but rebel against them and create your own identity. In turn if someday I could surpass them, then that is the greatest respect I can give them.
Under what condition do you prefer to do your work? I prefer working at night if not mid-afternoon so I can concentrate on my work, at these times there are less distractions. I hate it when I am getting disturbed. Mostly I eat my meals besides my painting I am working on and even turn-off my gadgets so I will not be obliged to answer and mingle with people. Practically speaking I am on a man-cave when I am painting. Additionally, I put a timetable on my work. I hate losing momentum.
Are your works Filipino in spirit? My artworks speak for themselves and I think there is not much to explain about it unless I am asked to explicate about it. My work is not for everyone; few people love history. They think of it as boring and plainly nostalgic. Art is born not to entertain but educate. I put symbols on my work that create intrigue besides my attention to details.
Does criticism help you become a better artist? There is a saying that once you displayed your work it is considered public. You will get praises as well criticisms. Some are constructive some are negative. We learn from other people not just by ourselves, but we should not be easily affected by opinion of other people. Take what you think is crucial and important and leave the unnecessary. Criticisms are at best reflection of the artist’s presence to his/her the audience. Artists must live and die with it.     
How do you determine when an art work is done? According to Leonardo da Vinci, “Art is never finished only abandoned.” Yet it is up for every artist to lift-up his/her brush and say, done! The process of art making is all about satisfaction, it is up for the artist to decide as long as it pleases all of his or her senses. Artists are motivated by several factors, it drives them to create their pieces and put meaning on it. Art is all about form and content whether it is personal or universal.    
Do you associate with other artists to stay competitive or to socialize? I attend exhibitions and read about art trends, share some techniques with my colleagues. Support them by either going to their exhibitions or organizing for them. I believe that, art is not about competition of style or who is selling, it is all about being honest to your genre, to improve, tweak and innovate it.
Will you describe your work space as orderly or disorderly? My workspace is orderly. For me it’s not an issue if you have an orderly or messy studio. Art making depends on mood setting of the artist.  
Are you a prolific artist? I can say I am an active/practicing artist. I teach in college and as an educator I must inspire them not just in the classroom. To see me having exhibitions regularly is a big boost to the morale of my students. I want them to remember as a very passionate artist.  
Do you think an assistant makes an artist’s work less important? Some works really needed apprentices. It is not a new thing. Even the masters such as Titian have a line of assistants, for him to work productively. Sculptors most of all need assistants particularly if they are doing monumental works. Having assistants does not make the work less important. It can benefit the student by passing to him your knowledge, your skills and techniques. I am a purist both in style and on work. I do it alone. I did yet come to a level where there are number of commissions I cannot accommodate. I am open to having apprentices if it’s really needed as long as they will be doing only what I have instructed.     
What aspect of your art is distinctively yours? It is up for the people/critics to decide. There is nothing new in this world but rather an improvement or innovation of the earlier/previously done techniques. You cannot claim I have invented fire so you should be given credit for it. Knowledge is infinite. It is the concept that is unique in very artists. Remember what Kandisky said “Every work of art is the child of its time.”