Lao Lian Ben, Ancestral, 1987
Mixed media on hardboard
30.5 x 23.5 cm (visible), 70 x 60.5 x 1 cm (framed)
Condition: Very good, with minor surface accretion accumulated. The condition is consistent with the age of the work. A reframing is recommended.
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Lao Lian Ben (Filipino, b. 1948) is a highly respected contemporary painter known for his contributions to abstract expressionism in the Philippines. Born in Manila, Lao studied at the University of the East and became recognised for his textured, monochromatic canvases that explore form, depth, and materiality. His artistic evolution reflects a lifelong engagement with the physical properties of paint, using layering, scraping, and sculptural techniques to achieve masterful tactile surfaces.
Throughout his career, Lao has maintained a silent, powerful presence in the Philippine art scene, with his non-representational works focused on mood and meditative spatial harmony. Widely exhibited both locally and internationally, Lao Lian Ben’s paintings have influenced generations of Filipino abstract artists and earned him multiple awards, including the prestigious CCP Thirteen Artists Award. His mastery of texture and tonality continues to define his unique visual language.
(Photographed in October 2025)