Soler San Pedro Santos
University of the Philippines, College of Fine Arts
March 17 1960, Manila, Philippines
Soler's works are focused on ecological themes. His forms are drawn from nature: leaves, twigs, stems and roots. Starting off in the manner of magic realism, Soler began by drawing fallen leaves enlarged many times over. Keeping to the same subject matter, he had gradually moved from realism toward abstraction, from decay to lush vegetation.
In the late eighties his paintings achieved a vibrant simplicity, while his colors have become vigorous and tropical. Soler held his first one-man show at the Luz Gallery in 1981, The Leaves Series. His latest exhibit is entitled the Reflection Series, works mostly done in oil and mixed –media. Photography plays a great part in most of his works, which he uses as a reference point.
Awards and Distinctions
- 2005
Honorable Mention – Philippine Art Awards, Philip Morris - 2004
Philippine Representative – 11th International Biennal Print and Drawing Exhibition, National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts - 2003
Honorable Mention – Philippine Art Awards, Philip Morris - 2001
Honorable Mention – Philippine Art Awards, Philip Morris - 1999
Philippine Representative - 14th Asian International Art Exhibition - 1997
Honorable Mention - Philippine Art Awards, Philip Morris - 1996
Top Five Watercolorist, Gallery Genesis Watercolor Competition - 1994
Honorable Mention - Philippine Art Awards, Philip Morris - 1994
Runner-up - XI Watercolor Competition, Gallery Genesis - 1994
Finalist - Diwa ng Sining - 1992
Philippine Representative - 7th International Asian Show, Bandung, Indonesia - 1992
Thirteen Artist Awardee - Cultural Center of the Philippines - 1986
Philippine Representative - Seoul Contemporary Art Show, the National Museum of Modern Art, Korea - 1985
Philippine Representative - 2nd Asian Art Show, Fukuoka Art Museum, Fukuoka, Japan - 1983
Philippine Representative - 1st ASEAN Youth Painting and Workshop, Bangkok, Thailand - 1983
First Prize - ASEAN Youth On-The-Spot Painting Competition - 1981
Finalist - AAP Annual/ Art Exhibit in China - 1980
Philippine Representative - Young Art in Asia Now, Hong Kong Art Center - 1979
University Scholar, 2nd semester, UP College of Fine Arts - 1979
Second Place - Outstanding Painting Student, UPCFA - 1978
Citation - Art and Photography, JASMS - 1977
First Prize - PWU Inter-High School Competition
Solo Exhibitions
- 2005
Reflection Series – Finale Art Gallery, SM Megamall - 2003
Recent Works – Crucible Workshop , SM Megamall
Recent Works – Finale Art Gallery, SM Megamall - 2002
New Paintings , Finale Art Gallery , SM Megamall - 2001
Recent Works, Finale Art Gallery, Makati
Waterfall Series II, Finale Art Gallery, Makati
Selected Paintings, Genluna Gallery, Davao City - 2000
Stone Garden Series, Finale Art Gallery, Makati
Waterfall Series I, SM Art Center - 1999
Recent Works, The Art Gallery, Glorietta 4
Four Works, Finale Art Gallery
Recent Works, Metropolitan Gallery, SM Megamall & Shangri-la Plaza - 1998
Recent Oils, Finale Art Gallery
Works on Paper, Gallery Nouveau - 1997
Recent Works, Finale Art Gallery - 1996
Recent Watercolors, Finale Art File
Rainforest II, Art Center, SM Megamall - 1995
Works on Paper, Finale Art File
Selected Paintings, Gallery 139 - 1994
Watercolors, Finale Art File
Rainforest, Art Center, SM Megamall - 1993
Red Paintings, Finale Art File
New Paintings, Luz Gallery
Works on Paper, Finale Art Gallery
Recent Works, Gallery Hall, Victoria Plaza,Davao City - 1992
Black Paintings, Lopez Museum
Twelve Year Survey, Art Center, SM Megamall - 1991
Big Painting, Little Theater Lobby, Cultural Center of the Philippines
Recent Watercolors, Museo Iloilo - 1990
Recent Paintings, Luz Gallery
Recent Paintings, Finale Art File - 1989
Selected Paintings, West Gallery
Recent Paintings, Finale Art File - 1988
Drawings, Finale Art File - 1986
Recent Paintings, Small Gallery, Cultural Center of the Philippines
Small Paintings, Finale Art File - 1985
Roots Series, Luz Gallery - 1984
Recent Works, La Tasca, Pinaglabanan Galleries
Drawings, Dirty Room, UP College of Fine Arts - 1983
Leaves Series II, Luz Gallery - 1981
Leaves Series I, Luz Gallery
