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Melvin Culaba
Melvin Culaba was born on 1971 in Baclaran, Philippines. He is a Filipino dark expressionist painter graduated on 1993 from the University of Sto. Tomas with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. In his paintings, Melvin portrays the harsh reality and injustices in today’s society mainly about poverty, consumerism and pornography. Melvin paints on large canvases using bleak colors, bold and frenzied strokes filling all the space with colors and figures.

Education in Painting
Melvin Culaba graduated from UST, had won and achieved a lot of awards throughout his painting life. He is grateful for his professor, Professor Antonio Austria who teaches Composition, his favorite subject and also for encouraging them to join competitions.

He learned that if you want to become an artist, first you have to be sure because it will take a lot of years of painting before you get some recognition. Most of his classmate took the route of regular and stable jobs while he kept on going despite having the same thoughts.

Some of his Works and their Meanings
His piece "Walang” from the exhibit "Human Resources" where there was a dog sniffing on a littered object, is the artist’s dog and the stairs of a LRT station as a surreal background is the one from his hometown, Baclaran, one of the sources of Culaba’s inspiration.

Printed is an example of a scene of a Filipino wet market and his piece Reflection is his male cousin holding a palette.

Pwersa portrays scattered bodies doing different activities. Some are drawn into the light while holding money. The artist stated that light is the heaven and the men who are clutched to the money are the people who believe that money can bring them happiness.

Singapore

 * November 13, 2012- Modern & Contemporary Asian Art Auction


 * May 6, 2012- Modern & Contemporary Asian Art Auction


 * May 8, 2012- Modern & Contemporary Asian Art Auction

Awards
Melvin Culaba is a finalist at the Phillip Morris Philippine Art Awards from 1995-1998 and 2006. Also had received a top awards at the Art Association of the Philippines Annual Painting Competition and Metrobank Young Painters Annual Painting Competition.

Won a full grant residency at the Vermount Studio Centre in 2005 and became a commissioned artist for the Official Christmas Cards of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.