Anthony Geduspan: An Ilonggo brush prodigy
Paintings are much like life. The vivacity of each color represents our inner thoughts. The strokes depict the rhythm of our existence. Historically, paintings are one of the most adored and definitely treasured pieces of art. They are the embodiment of faith, culture, and tradition. They can narrate stories from the past. They can be mysterious or simply captivating.
Anthony Geduspan is one of the fast-rising artists in the city. A native of Guimbal, Iloilo, little Anthony developed a love affair with art as a child. With nothing but pencil and paper, the used-to-be scribbling turned out to be a passion that flourished through time. When he was still in high school, Anthony would often join poster-making contests.
It was in 1999, when the then 19 years old Anthony decided to develop his talent. He joined the Pulso Guimbalanon, an association of local painters in Guimbal. With the ideas shared by the senior artists like Ilonggo illustrator Geron Gelpe and bank-employee-art-enthusiast Roseller Gayanilo, Geduspan began to start doing portraits. Unlike most artists though, he never had any formal training in arts but that was never been a hindance for his exceptional skills.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree from the Western Institute of Technology, Geduspan landed a career at Phil Post Iloilo. During weekdays, Anthony spends his time browsing over the statistics at the Phil Post office.
To satisfy his thirst for arts, he would observe and interact with senior artists and would scan pages of art magazines. At first, his main focus was on realistic painting. He would capture pictures of everyday life in canvass like fishermen unloading their catch on the shore, a boy walking at the ricefield or a farmer and his carabao.
"It's up to the artist to experiment with colors to put life into the canvass," the 27 year-old artist humbly quips.
While scanning a magazine, his attention was caught by a kind of painting known as cubism, a form of art which makes use of geometrical figures to produce an image.
"It was sort of an experiment at first. I find it easier to do. I combined it with my favorite subject, people," explains Geduspan.
Geduspan's cubism paintings are brightly-colored, thus vibrant. They exude the feeling of happiness. The geometrical figures reflect a pseudokaleidoscopic effect while the varied hues of colors anchors the artwork into the realm of reality.
Last December of 2005, Geduspan had an art exhibit entitled "Duhagway" at the Graphico on Robinsons Place Art Republic. Duhagway is a combination of two Ilonggo words "duha" which means two and "dagway" which means face.
Duhagway showcased both the realistic painting and cubism. Foreigns and locals marvelled at his works. Among those is his personal favorite - a painting of his 3 years old daughter playing on a banana bark.
The artist uses paper and acrylic paint. For the cubism, Anthony specifically utilizes canvass and acrylic paint. Sometimes, he works on linseed oil too. As a timid and quiet person, he prefers working on a peaceful environment surrounded with nothing but the wonders of nature. "I can finish one artwork for 4 days straight," says Geduspan who only spends his weekends experimenting on hues and strokes at home.
Anthony confessed that he is the only artist in the family. He must have inherited his skills from his father's cousin who was once an NCCA sculpture for the Visayas area. Geduspan may have passed his talent to his daughter whom he noticed was interested in his passion. "I let her hold the brush and she would start scribbling. It's too early to teach her so I just let her do her thing."
Aside from painting, Anthony also loves to play basketball, table tennis, and soccer. His choice of music, just like his art, are mellow. He sticks on the acoustics and country songs.
"Put your heart in what you do. Continue exploring the skills that you want. As much as possible adopt a style of your own," his advice to the young artists.
Geduspan does commission works too. "In fact, I have one right now. A businessman hired me to do some murals at home. I like murals."
At a young age, he has made a contribution to the society. He designed the official logo of IPDC, a provincial cooperative. Some of his artworks are in the Forrst Lake. Last year, he took home the grand prize in Iloilo Mission Hospital's Centennial Celebration. He is the current President of the Pulso Guimbalanon.
Check out Geduspan's materpieces at the Iloilo Producers' Association (IPA) Showroom and at the Robinsons Art Republic. For artists who wish to join his group and to hone their skills further as well as those who are intrested in his forte, Anthony can be reached at 09192959034.
There's no stopping Anthony Geduspan from making it big in the local world of picturesque art. Truly, a pure Ilonggo brush prodigy.