'Catching the Chicken' by Anita Magsaysay-Ho

Who wouldn’t want to have an Amorsolo hanging on his wall—an idyllic scenery where the landscape flows in the background as a maiden quietly does her laundry by the river? Or perhaps, Ang Kiukok’s anguished portrait of Jesus Christ, thorns on his head like twisted barbed wire?

Works by masters—an encompassing term for those who are elevated to cultural stardom by virtue of their genius, their penetrating gaze, and their physical output that approximates or comments on the human condition—are some of the most coveted pieces in the world, fought over in auctions and found in appointed spaces in museums. To have one in your own home not only conveys your artistic taste but also states your position as a guardian of cultural heritage. The work affirms a particular social status as well; only a minority of the rich will have the disposable income, and the enthusiasm, to acquire one. A $120 million Picasso, anyone?

Art, let it be said, is an investment. It’s one of the few things whose worth invariably increases while providing a sense of enjoyment. No wonder that in this time of economic meltdown, investors look toward art as a more secured investment than, say, volatile stocks. “A lack of confidence in the financial markets,” writes Alison Steed for the Telegraph, “is prompting investors to look towards assets which they can see, feel and enjoy, as even cash and bond investments are considered to be risky…”

But plunking down money on an artwork—even if it’s done by a high-profile artist—is not without risks.  Those who simply collect art thinking that they can sell them for a much higher profit eventually are certain to meet disappointments. The art market has its low and high points and prizes different artists at different times. What do you do when the upmarket is all about figurative works and what you have is a room full of abstract pieces?

Any would-be collector should get an education on the art world, believes Tom Johansmeyer, writing for luxist.com. “If you’re going to commit several thousand dollars to an art investment, you really ought to be interested in it. Start by going to museums, just to get a sense of the breadth available to you ... and to decide what you like… you can use the masters to get a sense of the styles that turn you on, which you can use to choose pieces that are closer to your price range.”

An opportunity to expose yourself to the works of the masters is to be had by dropping by Finale Art File (Warehouse 17, La Fuerza Compound, Gate 1, 2241 Pasong Tamo, Makati City) between March 6 to 31. The gallery will showcase “Meaning to be Modern: Philippine Paintings from 1907 to 1959,” a non-selling exhibition of works acquired by respected collector Paulino Que.

About 80 paintings by 36 artists—all masters, some of them National Artists—will be displayed as a sweeping introduction to the birth and evolution of modernism in Philippine visual arts. The prominent list includes the works of Lee Aguinaldo, Frederico Aguilar Alcuaz, Juan Arellano, Lyd Arguilla, Antonio Austria, Jesus Ayco, Constancio Bernardo, Victorio Edades, Jerry Elizalde, Ramon Estela, Carlos Francisco, Venancio Igarta, Jose Joya, Ang Kiukok, Cesar Legaspi, Diosdado Lorenzo, Arturo Luz, Anita Magsaysay-Ho, Mauro Malang Santos, Vicente Manansala, Hernando Ocampo, Galo Ocampo, Alfonso Osorio, Victor Oteyza, Rodolfo Paras Perez, Jose Pardo Sr., Ricarte Purungan, Rodolfo Ragodon, Cenon Rivera, Helen Roces Guerrero, Manuel Rodriguez Sr., Simplicia Nena Saguil, Juvenal Sanso, Romeo Tabuena Macario Vitalis, Hugo Yonzon and Fernando Zobel.

“Apart from the permanent collection in the museums,” says the exhibit catalog, “nothing of this magnitude and scale has been done before… A retrospective by any one of them is already a cause for celebration. Side-by-side with one another, they offer their individual attributes and styles and yet are also beautifully conversant, a symphony of strokes and colors that speak about the talent, genius and vision of their generation."

Would-be art investors can learn a thing or two from Mr. Que’s collection on how to jumpstart their acquisition. Those who simply want to enjoy an afternoon of art will be astounded by the rich creation of our masters. Needless to say, whether buying or enjoying art, one needs to approach it with real interest, curiosity and of course, love.