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‘Somewhere in France’: Manuel Baldemor Distills Parisian Nostalgia in Art
Somewhere in France is the newest exhibition from Alliance Française de Manille in Makati City. The exhibit opened on December 12, and will be viewable to the public until January 25. Centered around the artistry of Manuel Baldemor, it showcases his perspective of the French landscape, viewed specifically from his distinctive Filipino folk style.
Manuel Baldemor and His Distinctive Style
This collection of work from Baldemor gives audiences a glimpse of the artist’s strong ties to France. This dates back to 1973 during his participation in the XIV International Exhibition in Paris. Here, the stylistic influences uniquely meld together the pastoral rurality of artists like Amorsolo with the more modern geometric touches of expressionism.
Manuel Baldemor, active in the international art scene since 1972, works with multiple mediums to portray the world around him. Baldemor made his name in the scene with his pen-and-ink murals of his hometown in Paeta, Laguna. Later on, he expanded to watercolor, woodcut, ceramics, and glass over his storied decades-long career.
His distinctive artistry has made him a figure of acclaim in the Philippines and worldwide. His prints, for example, won third gold prize at the Annual Art Association of the Philippines in 1983. He was also one of the Thirteen Artist Awardees of the Cultural Center of the Philippines in 1993.
Baldemor’s work can be seen in a variety of places worldwide, from the United Nations Center in Vienna, Austria to the Basilica of St. Therese de Lisieux, France. Even reproductions of his work appear in UNICEF cards sold to help fund vaccine access in the Philippines.
Delving Deeper with ‘Somewhere in France’
As an artist hungry to explore new ideas and landscapes, Manuel Baldemor earned travel grants as an artist-in-residence in Asia, Europe, North and South America. Somewhere in France stems from his own experience in France over the decades as an artist.
“Somewhere in France offers a rare opportunity to delve deeper into the works of Baldemor, spanning multiple decades of his career, from early travels to international acclaim. The exhibition highlights his enduring connection to France, drawing inspiration from its landscapes, people, and culture,” Alliance Française said about the exhibition.
Baldemor’s distinctive paintings represent the French landscape dating back to the 1970s. They include landmarks like the Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, and the Basilica of Sacré Cœur de Montmartre.
Beyond his unique Filipino folk style, Manuel Baldemor focuses on the township itself. It attempts to recreate France as a hazy memory, its giant monuments surrounded by smaller buildings that people use in their day-to-day lives. It uses the language of nostalgic pastoral paintings to ensure that the paintings have a distinct, lived-in feeling and a sense of belonging for its viewers.
“[The exhibit] highlights the artist’s technical mastery and his dedication to bridging cultures and fostering understanding between the Philippines and the world,” the press release said.
Somewhere in France will be open to the public at Alliance Française de Manille in Makati until January 25.
Photos provided by Alliance Française de Manille Gallery.
Related reading: ‘Resurrect’: Jethro Jocson Paints to Revive the Inner Child
Frequently Asked Questions
The exhibition showcases Manuel Baldemor’s artistic journey through France, capturing the country’s landscapes, people, and culture over several decades. It highlights the artist’s enduring connection to the nation, blending his distinctive Filipino folk style with the iconic monuments and townships of France to foster cross-cultural understanding.
Baldemor’s style is a melodic fusion of Philippine pastoral rurality—reminiscent of Amorsolo—and modern geometric expressionism. Known for his “dark but vibrant” approach, he utilizes a variety of mediums including pen-and-ink, watercolor, and woodcut to create nostalgic, lived-in depictions of both his hometown in Laguna and international landmarks.
The exhibition includes evocative portraits of world-famous Parisian sites such as the Eiffel Tower, the Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre. Baldemor depicts these monuments not just as isolated structures, but as integral parts of the surrounding townships where people conduct their daily lives.
Baldemor’s relationship with the French art scene began in 1973 when he participated in the XIV International Exhibition in Paris. Over the years, he has served as an artist-in-residence and his work is permanently displayed in prestigious locations like the Basilica of St. Therese de Lisieux, cementing his role as a bridge between Filipino and French artistry.
The exhibition is hosted by Alliance Française de Manille, located in Makati City. Having opened on December 12, the collection remains viewable to the public until January 25, 2025, offering a rare look at works spanning the artist’s storied career from his early travels to international acclaim.
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