Elmer Borlongan always had Filipino culture as a reference, but it is the culture of today, and never that of colonial times or pre-colonial era. The figurative in the art of Elmer Borlongan stands as a testament to the power of form. The Manila-based artist is a CCP Thirteen Artist awardee (1994). His figurative works are drawn from the energies of urban living. His obsession lies not in depicting the ordinary, but in highlighting the visually disturbing images of an imperfect world. He is the prize of collectors, the indulgence of art dealers, and the envy of many fellow artists. Borlongan's vivid Realist Expressionism hits chords with avid collectors and observant laypeople alike.

Honored with a retrospecti...