Illustration art as fine art
By Constantino Tejero The Philippine Daily Inquirer June 25, 2007 ARNEL MIRASOL is a bit disappointed that local art writers seem to ignore his exhibits of illustrations. The more reason for disappointment that the sentiment comes from someone whom some consider the Philippines' "own Maxfield Parrish." But his is not the only case, as most often such shows are not taken by art critics as seriously as they would an exhibit of abstraction, installations, assemblages or some such esoterica. Which is rather puzzling, considering the painstaking effort, stylistic skill and deep thought that can also go into illustration art. Consider Mirasol's third solo exhibit, "ptgs & illus," 21 pieces in acrylic on paper and oil on canvas, recently in Crucible Gallery at the Artwalk, L/4, Bldg.A, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City. The show comprises eight paintings on the theme of machismo, 2 cover art, and 11 illustrations for the book Long Ago and Far Away, a retelling of...