Abstract art has always drawn various reactions from onlookers over the years.

Some find beauty in being able to interpret the vague pieces in any way they please. Others, not so much, going so far as to make claims that even a child could paint such works. Perhaps what makes abstract art so intriguing is the curiosity it evokes in viewers, making them wonder what the artist was thinking when they brought their work to life.

In the first release of “The Manila Bulletin Compendium” series, we take a look at the works of abstract artist Roy Veneracion and learn how he brings a blank canvas to life. In this exclusive interview with Manila Bulletin Lifestyle, we also learn more about what inspires Roy’s art and how he feels about today’s art.

My earliest mentor was my uncle. He was a painter and a student of Fernando Amorsolo. He was in the military, so he didn’t get to concentrate much on painting because World War II happened. My older brother and I would make art, which amused him, and he would give us pointers on things like perspective. I knew from an early stage that painting was what I wanted to do—and that I wanted to pursue art as a career.

In my time, I saw the pioneers of Philippine modern art, like [Vicente] Manansala. I also became close friends with the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts dean Jose Joya. He liked befriending younger artists. He said it makes him feel young. We were together most of the time since he was very active.

Younger artists have such different personalities and styles. You can never predict what younger artists are up to. [There are] lots of very promising artists with high potential. Filipino art has always been advanced, even back in the day. We had artists like Jose Joya, Hernando Ocampo, and Vicente Manansala.

Some artists leave it to the computer to make art. The threat of AI is that it could take over creative work. With AI art, it’s not a tool anymore. It turns the artist into a “scriptwriter.” I don’t know if AI will take over the industry. When you tell the AI to create a mural in the style of Michelangelo or Leonardo da Vinci, it can do it, but there’s no soul. I guess what we can do is keep innovating and do something that makes use of creativity to compete with AI. AI only collects our knowledge and applies it. New and innovative ideas will confuse it.

Artists will find inspiration in anything. You have all these ideas. Don’t censor yourself, try to express what you have, your ideas, no matter what resistance comes your way.

Get your copy now and celebrate the richness of Filipino artistry! ‘The Manila Bulletin Compendium’ featuring Roy Veneracion is available at Shopee and Lazada.