Lot description
Jose John Santos III (b. 1970) Signed and dated '2006' (lower left) Oil on canvas 84 x 94 cm (33 x 37 in) Jose John Santos III is a leading figure in contemporary figurative painting, recognized for his ability to craft intricate scenes that blend symbolism with narrative depth. His work often depicts carefully composed spaces, where objects and figures are arranged with deliberate precision to convey stories through subtle, meaningful gestures. His paintings, characterized by harmonious tones and muted colors, evoke a sense of quiet reflection, drawing the viewer into a world that is both intimate and profound. Through his art, Santos captures the essence of his subjects, infusing his compositions with a depth that resonates on both a personal and universal level. Santos draws inspiration from various sources, including archival and digital photographs, personal memorabilia, and everyday objects from his studio. His figures often feature faces from his immediate circle, including his own, posed in ways that evoke the serene and meaningful postures typical of religious art. His unique visual language, rich with dream-like elements, puns, and personal codes, invites diverse interpretations, offering viewers a space to engage with the work on their own terms. A graduate of the University of the Philippines, Santos was a member of the Salingpusa group during his college years. He has exhibited widely across Asia and received the CCP Thirteen Artists Award in 2000. Reference: Isabel Ching, et. al, Without Walls: A tour of Philippine paintings at the turn of the millennium, Winrum Publishing, 2010, p. 66
