Amember of the historic Sal ingpusa art group. 1nthony Palomo is concerned with easel painting as a mode of social realist commentary. his works characterized by the representation of negative social emotions such as isolation and weariness in a highly urban environment. Palomo's trademark paintings are his somber, melancholic representations of Filipino foreign workers imbued with a color palette of sunset hues, providing a strong visual chronicle of per-sonal narratives.

His depictions of Filipino foreign workers are both realistic and allegorical introspections of his personal experience working as a graphic de-signer in West Malaysia in the 1990s. Filipinos compose one of the world's largest populations of overseas workers populating major capitals, mi-nor towns, even remote villages. Palomo chooses not to depict fellow Filipinos that he met over-seas as call centre agents or enslaved white collar workers, instead electing to showcase the artistic and musical talent of his countrymen. 1 lis charac-ters have eyes filled with sorrow, homesickness and weariness, yet the pulsating resilience and determination to obtain a better linure overseas comes through the canvas.

About the Artist

As a recognized. multi-awarded watercolorist. l'alomo holds a Bachelor in Fine Arts (Painting) from the University of Philippines, Quezon City. and has won several major national painting com-petitions including the Grand Prize in the Water-color Category of the II Ui Metrobank National Painting Competition (1994) and the 24th Shell National Students Arts Competition (1991). In 1999. he was a finalist in the Philip Morris Phil-ippine Art Awards. An established name in sig-nificant group exhibits locally and internationally. Palomo is presently based in Batangas city and continues to actively exhibit in Manila.