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Long before he became one of the Philippines’ most acclaimed
painters, Malang enjoyed an interesting “past life” as a
cartoonist. From the 1940s to the 1960s, he created cartoon
characters and comic strips that were widely followed in such
publications as the Chronicle, This Week magazine and the Weekly
Graphic.
A sampling of Malang’s prolific output as a
cartoonist is now gathered in the comic book “The Forgotten Malang:
A Career in Cartoons”. Published by The Crucible Workshop, it
coincides with the exhibit of the artist’s cartoons that runs
until this weekend, February 10.
“The Forgotten Malang” comic book, with text
provided by Susan A. de Guzman and Giselle P. Kasilag, is a spin-off
of the exhibition of the same title held last year which they also
conceptualized. By tracing Malang’s artistic roots, the comic book
reintroduces Malang to the public, particularly younger audiences,
and shows how these roots helped prepare him for his eventual
transition into a full-time painter.
Malang affirms that his 20-year cartooning
experience honed his graphic skills, while having a daily deadline
taught him to be disciplined and to be more observant of things that
went on around him which he used as sources of ideas for his
cartoons.
Decades later, many of these pieces remain just
as amusing as when they were first drawn for a different generation
of readers, thus proving the lasting appeal of the visual pun and
the timeless humor of the artist who made it his specialty.
The Crucible Gallery is located at the 4/L, SM
Megamall Building A, in Mandaluyong City. For inquiries, call
635-6061.
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