COMING HOME

In 2016, some of his works were auctioned at the Leon Gallery in Makati City. His 2012 painting, El Romantico, piqued the interest of a prominent collector, Ken Hakuta, who immediately bought it.

“After that, he went to the States and contact my former gallery and bought all my artworks from the owners,” Mr. Lorenzana said. “It was in Hong Kong some time in March when I finally met him in person.”

He invited the collector to his studio in Makati City where his older works were kept. Mr. Hakuta saw a piece from 2007, Who Killed

and was surprised that it was the artist’s. He then acquired most of Mr. Lorenzana’s paintings and called it the “Luis Lorenzana Archival Collection.”

“Ken said it as love at first sight and he wanted to promote Filipino art. He’s also interested with the culture,” Mr. Lorenzana said.

Recalling where he had been in the beginning, Mr. Lorenzana said his P8,000 paintings have “increased in value now.”

“Artists in my age now who became successful are those who persevered. Many of us just quit,” he said.

BOOK, EXHIBIT

A book which features critical essays and indepth analyses on his works, authored by Michelle Yun, senior curator of Modern and Contemporary Art in New York, and Ryu Niimi, director of the Oita Prefectural Art Museum in Japan, is in the works.

In February 2017, Mr. Lorenzana’s collection of works from 2005 to 2008 will be on view for a non-selling show at Leon Gallery, which will be held in conjunction with the launch of the book.

Quite a change for an artist who used to peddle his work in a mall. —

The exhibit will be held at Leon Gallery, Corinthian Plaza, Gamboa cor. Paseo de Roxas St., Legazpi Village, Makati City. For more information, visit Leon Gallery on Facebook.