Tam Austria

Tam Austria: The Wisdom and Philosophies of Art

Text by VINCE G. LOPEZ

“We cannot survive without love, nor love can survive without love”, expressed Tam Austria, one of the country’s master artists.

Austria, who was born in the month of love in Tanay, Rizal, has numerous definitions of art. The artist relates art from a range of subjects such as its role within the social stratum, the origin of inspiration and more importantly as the source of everything beautiful –including love.

The artist’s passion for arts has led him to numerous achievements which are reflected in his way of life. Aside from the accomplishments and wealth that art has brought into the life of Austria, it is also through his wonderful works that led him to the love of his life, his wife Divine.

But the romantic side of the Austrias’ relationship with art is just a part of the artist’s multi-layered definition of his craft. Beneath the artist’s signature hat, white beard and enigmatic voice are wonderful stories of his experience and discoveries within the realm of the world of art.

 From Altar to Art Galleries 

Austria’s relationship with colors and figures started in the convent during his years as an altar boy. It was one of the priests that discovered Austria’s “inherent natural gift” upon seeing his works. The highly realistic oil painting of Christ with Thorns was one of his initial stand-out works.

“I was very excited then.  That was my first portrait and I didn’t know how I was able to finish it. It has something more to do with my intuition since I really didn’t have a background in painting then. Being a young painter, I was amazed that they appreciate my work and that gave me the inspiration to continue my passion,” said Austria.

After high school, Austria continued to pursue his passion at the University of Santo Tomas to study Fine Arts. But the brilliance of the artist cannot simply be attributed to his studies alone. The proud artist from Rizal acknowledges that it was the community that played an important role in mastering his craft.

“Being an artist depends largely on the person.  Even if you didn’t take up fine arts, it has something more to do with the environment. Of course, I live in this artistic province of Rizal and I live near Angono where a lot of famous artist live,” explained Austria.

He added, “Most of the developmental parts of young artists happened here as they were Inspired by the community. Even those who are fond of art without any formal schooling, they become painters in their own way. Community, I think, played a greater role than what I learned in college. Because within the community, artists can find the spirit of encouragement and they can learn how to enhance human interest.”

Paintings and Purpose

Tam Austria got his first break for his mural work in Sanctuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park. The mural was commissioned by the Zobel de Ayala family. From there, the artist’s works started to be noticed by art enthusiasts.

“Gradually, I started to get noticed. It was a highly a publicized work pero hindi ako umalis agad sa Ayala museum where I worked as an artist and illustrator. But later on, I decided to resign because I already have my mind focused on arts and I wanted to paint full time,” said Austria.

As his works slowly brought him from Rizal into the pedestal of the art industry, Austria had already produced several excellent works during his initial years as an artist. But one certain painting holds a sentimental value for Austria.

“My wife is from Mindanao and she was not very familiar with artists or painters. She was having her vacation then she saw my painting through the window across the street. Then she said to my cousin, who was that guy? Is he a photographer?” narrated Austria.

“Why? Would you like to see his work? So they dropped by. When I saw her, I said she’s a nice girl and it started from there. If not for that, I would have not met my wife. It is a painting of a local “magbubuko” climbing a coconut tree.  That was the first time I met her. That’s why I always say that my first love is art and my second love is my wife, but she’s second to none,”Austria said. 

Philosophies and Art Divinity

Since his break in the early 70s, Austria’s artworks have been one of the most admired in the country as well as in other countries.  Aside from the number of masterpieces he has produced over the years, his philosophical view on the subject of art is also one of the most inspiring explanations on the nature of his passion.

“I define artists as the source of all inspired creations. The artist is the representation of all creation and whose sole duty is to create beautiful objects. This in turn, brings beings a sense of wellbeing in the state of joy, peace, and harmony,” he explained.

Exemplifying his mastery of the subject, Austria never stutters when it comes to his philosophies. Austria also coined the terms Art Inspired Divinity and Recrea Mindoism Rena to help further understand the complexities within the concept of art.

“ Art transformed divinity is the idea that after these material things, the art or object surpasses on a higher level of social stratum or level which advances our thoughts, our culture-political and social level which serves as a basis of prosperity in harmony. Then, we can be attuned to positive change especially with the lives of others and putting us on top of the world to give us a pretty good shape of life,” relays Austria.

The artist also believes that the process of producing art is a phenomenon which can be likened to a magic spell. For Austria, paintings are transformed into divinity and art is an instrument to portray real beauty as God originally intended it to be.

“My artistic philosophy is based on being a naturalist. When you are searching for the truth and reality with relentless effort, you look at the good of example in the paradigm of god, the creation, the reality around you. It’s what makes you a different person and it comes out because art is reflective in our way of life.  The highest degree given to a person with an inherent natural gift is dexterity, versatility and expertise, and the artist as the source of his creation, his main object is to create beautiful things and truthful things to create the meaning of wellbeing.”