When I was young, I remember enjoying art projects in school.  I would make my own greeting cards for my parents, and I would even join school contests on poster making. But never once had my works of art (I believe it were, hehe!) won any prize, except of course, that I undoubtedly won my parents’ admiration.  As I grew up, I became contented with, well, appreciating art and the artists behind the works of art.

Pinto Art Museum in Antipolo, Rizal is one of those art museums I’ve been to that really stood out for me.  Together with a friend of mine, we took the UV Express van from SM Megamall (you could also take van from Araneta Cubao) bound to Antipolo and got off at Ynares Center.  From there, we took a tricycle to Grand Heights and informed the driver to drop us off at the Pinto Art Museum, which the driver seemed to know well.

I was surprised to find out that behind the unassuming entrance gate lies an immense collection of paintings, sculptures and other pieces of artworks.  I never enjoyed an art museum much as I enjoyed Pinto.  It’s maybe because, unlike the conventional museums, Pinto not only has indoor galleries, but they have outdoor spaces and gardens, as well, where the art works are spread right through.

We actually spent about 3.5 hours roaming around.  Considering that I and my friend are not “selfie” people, you should allot more time than that if you are the type who couldn’t resist the urge of taking pictures of yourselves around every interesting background you see.

The museum has seven galleries, a Lower Garden, an Upper Garden and Sculpture Gardens, a café (we didn’t try this though) and a chapel.

I miss seeing a carabao cart like this carrying items made of indigenous materials for sale.  Something like this used to pass by our streets when I was young.

“Narcissus” by Salvador Alonday

A depiction of Mother Nature?

Sigh! I regret not taking photos of the plate labels so I could duly credit the artists for their works.

In one of the gardens is a small room dedicated to the love of our National Hero, Jose Rizal and Leonora Rivera.  Inside the room, we heard a voice record of their sad love story being played, with Rivera’s mother in a contrabida role as she got in between the two lovers by hiding Rizal’s letters from Leonora.  To add even more melancholy to the mood, an original cello piece was being played in the background.

An antique cabinet right beside the door, has a pen and a drawer containing undelivered letters to “The One Who Got Away”. Visitors are invited to write their hearts out to anyone they have loved and lost, leave their letters undelivered and go on with their lives.

“Elisa and Laura’s Pink Dresses” by Marina Cruz. This is probably my favorite painting of all. Just look at all the details! I could almost feel the textile in my hands.

“Oblivious” by Stephanie Lopez (steel wires and found objects)

The Forest by Antonio Leano is one dark room with bamboo forest inside.  The sound of intermittent water drops amidst the silence gives an eerie feel to the room’s atmosphere.

“Pilgrimage” by Daniel dela Cruz

I don’t know why but I’m simply drawn to this painting

The Museum of Indigenous Art is a new installation in the lower gardens.

I do not understand everything nor do I seek to interpret all the art forms I found in Pinto Art Museum.  Let’s just say that I’m in awe of how the artists transformed things into art pieces through their minds and hands.

I regret not taking a photo of the plate at the main entrance listing the contributor artists in the museum.  Nevertheless, I would like to say kudos to all of them for their brilliance and ingenuity.

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