Images courtesy of FB Sena Buenas Artes Group of Artists
Looking back at his 47 year career in the visual arts, there’s no doubt that Fernando B. Sena is an artist and a teacher at heart. Known to exquisitely capture and bring into the canvas typical Filipino daily scenes, he is also widely regarded in the art world as the “Father of Philippine Art Workshop,” a distinction he still holds today as a master of his art and mentor to his former students.
“I am happy when I teach, it is something you can’t take away from my heart,” says Sena who had not stopped conducting art workshops since the first one he taught in 1975, soon after he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts major in Painting at the University of the East. “Actually, I started teaching in our parish church. Then invitations started pouring in from civic, religious and government institutions.” As a way of giving back, Sena also conducted workshops at the Children’s Museum and Library, Inc. and Saturday Art Classes for almost a decade.
Sena’s workshops are open to children and adults alike since he finds no distinction based on age when teaching and learning art skills. He lumps together the young and not so young students in his classes, and likes how conveniently “they learn together at the same time by simply following my instructions during the demonstration.” For him, the real challenge lies on how “to encourage students to bring out their talent, not just teaching them what we know as a teacher.“
Moreover, Sena finds that learning is a give and take process. “Actually, when I teach, I give them all of my secrets in painting, so that my students learn more, or discover their own techniques. (As a result) after several sessions, I can see that they are improving. Silently, I also observe their techniques that I pick up such as how they apply paints, their discipline, or focused interest.”
At the age of 73, he confesses that he still enjoys teaching and has no plans of stopping even in the face of the pandemic. Since his teaching engagements at the Buenas Artes Gallery and UP Vargas Museum are cancelled at the moment, he chose to continue to do the same at home. “I still teach five kids at a time because of physical distancing, but as long as I’m able, I’m willing to teach. But I have limited time now because I’m busy painting my own pieces. I believe there is no retirement or unemployment in art.”
More than just a teacher, Sena has also turned mentor who gives advice to his former students as well as opportunities to those who would like to seriously follow an artist career. In 2001, Sena founded the Art Discovery and Learning Foundation and sent 11 scholars to the UP College of Fine Arts. He proudly shares that five of them had already completed the course. “We also founded the Buenas Artes Group along with Maxi Ramos and Reizal Vibal and held a number of exhibits for budding artists. Due to the pandemic, we have to stop for now,” adds Sena. In return, he only asks for one thing, “My only wish is for those students to use their talent to help and teach others.”
In gratitude to Sena’s living legacy, fifty-three of his former students and their portraitures were recently gathered together to pay tribute to the one master who had led them to a life of creativity, artistry and generosity. Made available online on July 24, the Filipino Master in the eyes of His Apprentice, the Fernando Sena tribute art exhibit reveals each of the artists’ creative sensibilities through portraits in a strong show of affinity they have for the teacher-mentor that have guided them in their artistic careers.
“His love and passion for the arts even goes beyond helping. His being a father extends not only to his children, but also to those who have learned to share this amazing gift of talent. He has touched the hearts of many people as he did to mine. I am have been reaping the fruits of my passion for years now. There is contentment of the soul with every painting I create. His teachings of words and visuals have been a continuing advocacy I hope to share as well,” shares Maxi V. Ramos, a former student and head of the FB Sena Buenas Artes Group of Artists.
Another former student, Alex Bugsy Sibug, shares, “It’s been on my wish list to do a portrait of Mr. Sena. I could have done it before when I met him again in 2017 to join the Pagpupugay exhibition, but instead, I felt it’s not yet time to do it. I wanted it to be right. Back then, I didn’t have the proper set of skills and confidence so I needed more time to learn and practice. I’ve seen portraits of him done by other artists and that helped me to find my own style. This year is the perfect time to do it.”
For visual artist Celeste Lecaroz, Sena is to be admired as an artist for others and acknowledged for his achievements in the arts as well. “Fernando Belen Sena is an artist who is best known for depicting themes that resonate with the ordinary Filipino: religious icons, pan de sal, the lowly barong- barong, a pile of assorted toys, the destitute, and scenes of a simple life. His choice of subjects reflects his humble beginnings as well as his personal advocacy to call attention to the plight of the poor. His contribution to building a sense of Filipino nationhood goes beyond the artistic impact of the hundreds of works he has produced throughout his 47-year career. Through the many workshops he has conducted, mostly free of charge, he has also planted art in the consciousness of countless Filipinos from all walks of life, and enabled them to produce art and teach it.”
From the exhibit’s curator, Mary Ann Venturina Bulanadi, Ph. D., MaCHs, IDr said, “I believe that Sena is worthy to receive a tribute exhibit, to showcase his impact on the artistic career and styles of Filipino artists today. I feel the hearts of these artists, why they have been painting him. They are grateful and want to thank him because words were not enough.”
His former students will definitely not forget how Sena touched their lives, and thus he will be best honoured through portraits rendered by the very same skilled hands he helped to nurture.
The Filipino Master in the eyes of His Apprentice, the Fernando Sena tribute art exhibit, is available online until September 24 on this link: https://www.senaarts.com/index.html.
FILIPINO Master in the Eyes of His Apprentice: The Fernando Sena Tribute Art Exhibit
Artists
Kris Awa
Solano Cruz
Elmer Borlongan
Ben Bulaon
Cesar dela Paz
Ananias ‘Naning’ Estrella
Janice Young
Bans Bañez
Jess Alfonso
Magoo Valencia
Lydia Velasco
Marcelo Baldomar
Keith Paras
William Cadag
Andy Urag
Tess Pecaña
Rudy Lunod
Ambassador Rafael Gonzales
Mario Panis
Menny Martin
Connie Cabalar
Gigi Manalastas
Alvin Montano
Amiel Roberto
Jude Rufo
Joe Maria Sanclaria
Celeste Lecaroz
Menchu Abel
Dante Lerma
Oddin Sena
Rachael Escalaw
Sen Lacson
Annalyn Trespicio
Colleen Rufo
Pia Dacanay
Maxi B. Ramos
Ritzel Nami
Marivi Pajarillo
Wendy Dizon Rondaris
Grandier Gil Bella
Menchie Vitente
Dan Macapugay
Salvador Sierra
Heidi Pataueg Fernando
Alex ‘Bugsy’ Sibug
Baby Grace Palma
Fredi Agunoy
Vyana Dizon Rondaris
Matthew Dizon Rondaris
Tristan Bamba
Jennifer Consumido
Yolanda Batara
Julius Legaspi