ANC -- In a weekend bookended by the announcement of new National Artists Awards and the commemoration of our Independence Day, there were plenty of symbolisms in the art world. But it seems the chief arbiter of Philippine art remains to be — not the committees composed of academics nor even the museum-tologists — but that hardy and enterprising species known as the Filipino collector. And his natural habitat is León Gallery, which yesterday marked its latest Spectacular Mid-Year Auction.
The star of the auction was the poignant but powerful “Moriones Festival” by Carlos V. Francisco which ascended to P35 Million. This happened to be, said León Gallery director Jaime Ponce de Leon, the third highest amount paid for a Botong at auction. (It was at León Gallery that three of the top 4 prices ever were made.)
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