Story and photos by Joey Pavia
Santo TOMAS, Pampanga—Visual Artist Ismael Figueroa Esber is virtually unknown in Pampanga.
Esber’s mother is from Pandaras, city of San Fernando, Pampanga. He fluently speaks the Kapampangan language.
“Esber is such a great artist and painter. I love his work. He has been cited in other countries and I guess he must be hailed in his own province of Pampanga, as well,” said former Santo Tomas Mayor Joselito Naguit, who hosted Esber at the Naguit-owned Mula De Victoria resort here last week. He is planning to display some of Esber’s works at his resort and residence.
“Esber is a hidden gem, a pride and joy of Filipinos and an unexposed artist,” Naguit added.
“Professional. His works are magnificent,” said Aldrin Tuazon, a young painter from Bacolor town. He saw some of Esber’s works and he was impressed.
In 1995 Esber joined the leading international advertising agency, J. Walter Thompson, in its offices in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It’s an American company and among the first and oldest advertising firms in the world. One of Esber’s earliest projects won “Best Visual” category at the 1995 Sword Press Awards, setting the tone for a highly awarded career. In 2011 Esber’s Bedouin illustration became a Dubai Lynx Award winner.
In 2015 Esber’s large canvas, entitled The Soulful Trust, was recognized by the largest art exhibition ever held in the Middle East. It was featured on 5,000 outdoor billboards all throughout the kingdom of Saudi Arabia and viewed by millions of people. Esber was the first Filipino to achieve such a feat.
Of late, Esber was appointed as a country representative to the Philippines for the World Contemporary Artists (WCA), a fresh organization acting as a bridge to connect the world with contemporary art. It will hold a meeting in Hong Kong.
Esber’s works are displayed in his gallery, called Esberart, at the third level of Robinsons Metro East along Marcos Highway in Pasig City. The prices of his artwork range from P30,000 to P400,000 per piece.
“Art has the power to change how we see the world. The things that inspires me most are aesthetic movement, dynamic, space and human energy. That’s why I particularly enjoy working on large-format canvasses,” Esber said.
“My artistic motivation was born of a need to discover my true self in terms of style and technique. The beauty and craziness I see all around me takes shape in the layers, combinations and colors of the paint.
The creative spark comes from my desire to capture feelings, energy in realistic and hybrid forms. It’s a lifetime process—a personal mission that means I’ll never stop creating,” the 58-year-old contemporary artist said.
“Indeed, Esber is a global Filipino visual artist, waiting to be discovered and deeply admired in Pampanga,” said Naguit, who proudly manifests that he is a friend of the multiawarded Esber.
Image credits: Joey Pavia