About
HARRY TORRES
He was born in Toledo Nabas, Aklan on April 6, 1958. He started to draw at the early age of six. He took private art lessons for four and a half years from two professional artists who were also professors from the University of Santo Tomas and Philippine Womens University during that time.
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In his paintings, one will find the purest roots of elegance, the details of Flemish painters and the strength of realist discipline. His technique gained artistic strength through his travel experiences in the South East Asia and Middle East countries. He obtained inspiration from the swirling sandstorm delicacy of the deserts hue, the singular beauty of sunrise and the majestic glow of sunset. He works closely with nature, capturing in his paintings the human interest in the market scenes, villages, landscapes, jewelries, antiques, jars, horses and falcons. His last commissioned artworks were taken from carpet designs that really exude vibrant colors and intricate details. His paintings portray life in style, blending the harmony of light and shadow.
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He is an active member of the Agos Kulay ng Maynila (Water Color Society of Manila) Tuesday and Saturday groups. He also held the President position for LUNDA (Luntiang Daigdig), CANVAS (Concerned Artists for Nature and Visual Aesthetics) and Las Pinas Artist Society.
SELECTED AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
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2009 His work entitled “Katiwala” was chosen as one of the finalists in the
4th Philippine Drawing Society’s 2nd Figurative Art Painting Competition
spearheaded by Dr. Joel C. Mendez, one of the renowned cosmetic surgeons in the country.
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2008 He was one of the artists commissioned by the Manila City government for the completion of a mural painting entitled “History of Manila”. The said mural is currently displayed at the Session Hall of the City Council of Manila.
In the same year, the National Center for Mental Health commissioned him as one of the artists for the mural painting entitled “100 Years of NCMH”. The mural is now grandly displayed at the facility’s lobby. Their group artwork won 2nd prize in the On-The-Spot Mural Painting Contest themed, “Preserving the Beauty of Our Environment”, organized by the Pasay City (Host) Lions Club (PCHLC).
2007 His artworks (with the subjects of: Philippine Festivals and Horses) were selected by the Philippine Center New York to be included in an Art Exhibition which were exclusively displayed at the Philippine Center Lobby in New York, U.S.A.
2006 Commissioned b y the Southern Asia Pacific Division of the Seventh-day Adventist for the illustration books of different private schools.
A finalist in the group on the spot painting contest entitled "EARTH DAY", sponsored by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Art Association of the Philippines (AAP).
2005 1st prize winner of the on the spot Lantern Making Contest together with Ernie Patricio, sponsored by Congreswoman Cynthia Villar.
He was one of the seven artists commissioned by the City Government of Manila for the completion of life size bronze sculpture titled "Unang Hakbang" (First Step), now displayed in Baywalk, Roxas Boulevard, Manila.
2004 His artwork entitled "Kalusugan" was commissioned to be the theme of the Philippines Pediatric Society’s 42nd Annual Convention. It was printed on the front cover of the convention’s book and give away bags as well.
2003 People’s Choice awardee in Letras Feguras Competition Instituto Cervantes de Manila.
2002 Grand prize winner in Letras Feguras Competition Instituto Cervantes de Manila.
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2000 Third prize winner in Letras Feguras Competition Instituto Cervantes de Manila
1999 Second prize winner in Letras Feguras Competition sponsored by his highness King Juan Carlos of Spain with the cooperation of Spanish Embassy and Instituto Cervantes de Manila.
1998 Accepted commissioned paintings from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Saudi Arabia
1997 A finalist among the 853 participants of the Land Bank Art Mural Painting Contest.
1989 - 1994 Exhibited in several art shows. He continuously expressed his love for arts and accepted commissioned paintings from several art collectors and galleries. Some of his works were the "Desert Free" in oil which was reproduced in Christmas cards and about 9,000 copies were made as collections of Arab Banking Corporation in Manama, Bahrain and the "Thursday Market" in oil painting is one of the collections of Gulf University in Isa Town, Bahrain. Several of his portrait works were hanged in private villas in the said country.
1983 - 1985 A silver medalist at the International Gulf Art Competition in oil. He also worked in Bahrain as an artist and a teacher in secondary school. His class was composed of 27 girls including members of the royal family. He seized the opportunity to showcase his artworks through different exhibits.
1980 - 1982 His mural paintings, "Children of Today" and "Filipina Today" are displayed in the Philippine Children’s Hospital and in the Tabacalera de Filipina Building in Manila respectively