In this world of chaos, the ‘zirkular’ strokes of Art Zamora bring ease
On Jan. 7, 2002, the City of San Francisco celebrated “Art Zamora Day,” in honor of New Jersey-based Filipino painter Art Zamora who “has fostered positive community relations and through his art has greatly contributed to the people of San Francisco.” He provides free community art lessons to senior citizens and children, donates artworks to non-profit organizations to raise funds for social and public health programs, and has raised money for the Filipino Task Force on AIDS to assist in its mission of providing linguistically and culturally directed HIV prevention and care for the Filipino community.
In this age of mayhem, the whole world needs people like Art Zamora who uses his talent to help the community.
Through his “Refraction,” an exhibit with The Artologist Gallery that runs virtually until Oct 16, Art showcases how his magical touch called “Zirkular Abstraction” does not only exist on his canvas but also in the community.
A style he developed in New York, Zirkular depicts his feelings, perspectives, and ideas. Every brush stroke represents everything he went through in his life and the emotions that came along with it.
“Zirkular Abstraction refers to my complex and sophisticated strokes that symbolize a cycle of renewal, mysteriously linking human beings on the value of goodness, oneness, and unity. Recently, it turned into ‘Refraction,’ which symbolizes light but with a deeper meaning of abstraction,” says Art, adding that his art is greatly influenced by his late cousin Ibarra de la Rosa.
Art describes his creations as “contemporary abstract,” as seen in how his chaotic arrangement of shapes, lines, and movement come together so beautifully.
Code of Life, acrylic on canvas, 2019 
Twin, acrylic on canvas, 2019 
Evolutionary, acrylic on canvas, 2019 
Signal, acrylic on canvas, 2019 
Transformative, acrylic on canvas, 2019
‘Zirkular Abstraction refers to my complex and sophisticated strokes that symbolize a cycle of renewal, mysteriously linking human beings on the value of goodness, oneness, and unity.’
“There is uniqueness in the complex composition and execution of rounded squares that predominantly depicts peace, oneness, and unity with the vastness of light,” he says.
“There is uniqueness in the complex composition and execution of rounded squares that predominantly depicts peace, oneness, and unity with the vastness of light,” Art says. Throughout the years, his works have gained him recognition, including being first place in the Philadelphia Shell Club Annual Show (1998 and 2000). In 2004, his paintings were showcased by the Queensborough Public Library in the US. He was also recognized as one of the “Ambassadors of Peace” by the Inter-religious and International Federation for World Peace in New Jersey. He was a finalist at the GSIS Painting Art Competition in 2009.
On top of that, Art is the president of the Society of Philippine-American Artist Inc., in New York City. He helps organize exhibits for Filipino visual artists who are doing shows in the Big Apple. He is also a jewelry designer for Robert Maouwad, a world-renowned jeweler in New York City.
“My creativity is similar to my philosophy of art,” Art says. “My observation of my surroundings, of what goes on around me, gives meaning to everything I do—while also carrying meaning true for its time. It evolved through the years: I started as a realist-impressionist then I moved to contemporary abstraction.”
“Refraction” by Art Zamora runs until Oct. 16. at artsteps.com
Story by Sara Fojas