Just like we are on a personal journey throughout our lives, artists are on a journey of creativity and expression through the entire length of their professional careers.
Take celebrated Filipino artist Anna Vergel RS, for example. her third solo exhibit entitled “Linear and Abstracts” in 2011 marked a defining moment in her artistic journey, showcasing a bold exploration of form, movement, and minimalist expression. The exhibit drew attention not only for its striking compositions but also for the presence of National Artist Napoleon Abueva, her esteemed mentor, who offered both support and praise for her evolving vision.
His attendance lent that momentous evening a sense of continuity between generations of Filipino artists. Vergel RS’s artistic lineage is deeply rooted in the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts where both she and Abueva trained. Her mother, Bee Nuguid—also a UP CFA alumna, former student of the National Artist, and an artist in her own right—became one of Anna’s earliest mentors.
Among the distinguished guests during that opening night was former Senator Mar Roxas, whose presence underscored the growing recognition of Vergel RS’s contribution to the local art scene.
As she continues on her artistic journey, Vergel RS’ modernistic pieces will be featured in her seventh solo show in 2026 together with her other famous signature styles such as the “Venus Stones” series. In hindsight, her “Linear and Abstracts” collection was ahead of its time—many of the pieces featured in that exhibit are now reportedly in high demand, reflecting the lasting resonance of her innovative approach.
