About Us

Kasining Art Online is your art resource and platform where you can access the most relevant and talented Filipino artists active today.

We focus on the art of the Central Luzon region, more specifically the artists of Pampanga and Tarlac, as we believe in their talent and exposure. Kasining Art Online features their rich art as it reflects stories or narratives that are worth listening to and exploring.

We draw on the legacy of Perfecto Mercado (1950-2011), the son of Tarlac whose life and art has enriched the province and all those who patronized his art. His art and legacy is continued by the artists we feature here, continuing the cycle of passion, excellence, and originality.

Beginnings & Legacy Let’s look back at the life and legacy of Perfecto Mercado.

1950

Born on August 4 in San Martin, Concepcion, Tarlac, middle of five children, to farmer Pedro Mercado Sr. and wife Rosalina

1968

Married his high school sweetheart Teresita G. Tolentino with whom he had six children.

1970-74

Started working as painter of a movie billboards in Manila.

1975

Made paintings which he submitted to a Mabini art gallery for consignment.

1976-80s

Consigned paintings to Arthur Art Gallery in Mabini, Manila.

1981-83

Did commissioned artworks for Swedish collector Peter Stanburg

1982

Finished commissioned portrait of the Marcos couple

1984-85

Did commissioned works for an Australian collector

1985-87

Worked as an interior decorator in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

1989

Finished watercolor illustrations that appeared in the January 1989 issue of Philippine Airlines' Mabuhay Magazine.

1990-93

Worked in Taiwan doing odd jobs unrelated to Arts and his Family moved to Capas, Tarlac after the Mount Pinatubo eruption had settled.

1994-96

Served as in-house artist for High Quest Art Gallery in Glorietta, Makati

1997

Had his first stroke which caused his temporary memory loss. Began his "Dark Painting" series

1998

Had his second stroke which left him with a stuttered speech and a limp. Son Arnold started managing his career.

1999

Joined, for the first time, an art competition sponsored by Winsor and Newton where he placed as a finalist. Joined his first group shows in Manila for Nemiranda Gallery and Metropolitan Art Gallery. His surreal-psychedelic artworks came out.

2000-01

Landed as semi-finalist in the Philip Morris Art Competition held at the GSIS Museum in Pasay City. Started his Philippine scene paintings for Gallery consignment.

2002

Began his "Stained Glass Series"

2004

Began his "Boulderscapes Series"

2005

Had his third stroke from which he recovered quickly. Held his solo show at Crucible Gallery, SM Megamall.

2006

Had his second one-man exhibition at the Saturday Group Gallery in Ali Mall Cubao, Quezon City. Works sent to Los Angeles, California for the PhilAm Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

2007

Published in Art Association of the Philippines' Art Competition Book.

2008

Joined the AAP Anniversary Exhibit at Rizal Park and the NASI Exhibit at SM Clark, Angeles, Pampanga. Declared finalist in the Art Association of the Philippine's Annual Art Competition. Published in the books "Structural Art by Philippine Artists", "Philippine Art Now" and "A Kapampangan Perspective of Changing World."

2009

Joined the show "Art Anthology" at the House of Representatives, Quezon City. Landed as finalist in the GSIS Art Competition and the 3rd AAP-ECCA Abstract Art Competition and as semi-finalist in LRTArt National Painting Competition. Published in the GSIS and LRTA's Painting Competition catalogs and "Flora and Fauna by Philippine Artist."

2010

Held his third solo show "Perfect Blossom" at SM North Edsa Art Center. Brought the same show to Cebu City, his first in the Visayas. Joined four group shows in different venues in Manila and Pampanga. Cited as Honorable Mention in the AAP-ECCA Semi-Annual Art Competition. 2010

2011

Succumbed to stroke in the company of family and relatives. Was given a tribute exhibit in Museo ning Angeles and was published in the book" Mother and Child: Great Themes in Philippine Art." Exhibition of Dreamscapes at the White Cube Gallery of the Metropolitan Museum of Manila.

2018

Coffee table book on his life and art was launched. The book, penned by Gari Apolonio, is entitled "Dreamscapes: the Art of Perfecto Mercado".

2019

First posthumous solo exhibit at his hometown in Museo ng Tarlac was mounted catering mostly to students.