A Familial Legacy: Toym Imao’s solo exhibition builds on his father’s visions and legacy

Multi-media artist Toym Imao expresses through his art introspective, dreamlike and extravagant worlds inspired by the visions of his father, the late National Artist Abdulmari Imao.

For “In His Veins”, Toym uses recurring symbologies that recall the original forms of his father’s childhood visions during 1942 to 1945 – amidst a war – towards an escape to his own vivid universe. These images would later inspire him to create his iconic sarimanok, sarifish, okir patterns, vibrant colors and patterns.

The majority of Toym’s work falls into one or another series of related paintings and sculptures, sharing his father’s common themes and symbols as observed in colorful migratory birds, the patterns and colors of nature, and marine life. The overarching theme of “In His Veins” is the legacy that fathers handed down to their sons. It also regards the sphere of influence that parents pass on to their children, important core values and ethics handed down from generation to generation.

Toym Imao is a Filipino multi-media artist who excels in both sculpture and painting. He is a sculptor and painter in both classical and contemporary styles, a writer, set/production designer and film maker. He first trained in the arts under his father and Philippine National Artist for the Visual Arts Napoleon V. Abueva. His formal training came from the University of the Philippines (B.S. Architecture, Masters in Fine Arts) and Maryland Institute College of Arts (M.A. Sculpture) under a Fulbright Scholarship. He studied film and apprenticed under premier Philippine director Marilou Diaz-Abaya. He credits his mentor National Artist for Literature Alejandro R. Roces for his passion for Philippine history and culture. Currently, Toym is a lecturer at the College of Fine Arts in the University of the Philippines, Diliman.

“In His Veins” by Toym Imao opened last October 30 and will run until November 12. The exhibit is located  at Galerie Joaquin, 2nd Floor of Phase 2, UP Town Center, Katipunan Ave, Diliman, Quezon City.

For inquiries, contact Galerie Joaquin at (+63)2 8 247 1109 or email [email protected].