National Artist Series

Abdulmari Asia Imao

(14 January 1936 – 16 December 2014)

The BSP celebrates the birth anniversary of National Artist for Visual Arts Abdulmari Asia Imao, the first artist from Mindanao who received this prestigious recognition in 2006.

Born in Siasi, Sulu in 1936, Imao studied Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines and finished his master’s degree at the University of Kansas in the United States.

An artist who worked across several media, Imao was a sculptor, painter, and ceramicist.  As a sculptor, he was active in developing brass casting technology in Asia, particularly Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Indonesia.  In sculptures and paintings, Imao reinterpreted traditional Maranao and Tausug okir, sarimanok, and naga designs into his works.  He also drew inspiration from his Islamic faith incorporating elements of Allah’s name through Arabic calligraphy in his art.

His masterful artistry can be seen in his Sarimanok paintings, a bas-relief called, “Agriculture”, and a brass sculpture entitled, “Sabungero” -- all part of the BSP Collection. These works highlight the true artistic nature of Mr. Imao in pushing forward Islamic art design into the contemporary art milieu. 

To know more about the BSP Collections, please visit us at www.bsp.gov.ph/pages/aboutthebank/facilities/BSPMuseum.aspx.

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