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about the artist

Born in February, 1950, Carlos grew up in a largely artistic environment; his father, the modernist architect Julio Victor Rocha, Julio’s friends the National Artists Vicente Manansala and Victorio Edades, and Julio’s one-time draftsman Onib Olmedo, strongly influenced the young Carlos in their fervently modernist inclinations.

Carlos began his art career as a sculptor in the 1970s and 1980s, displaying his work at his wife Minda's gallery, Galeria Mia, along Pasay Road in Makati City. His sculptures have always depicted motion and people in the middle of an action, usually fishermen, musicians, and bullfighters, among others, 'focusing not on the toil of labor but the nobility of work,' as the artists explains. 'Courage, camaraderie, and the respectability of working with your own hands are subjects I like to tackle by creating sculptures of people who embody these qualities.'
 

In the 1990s, he added painting to his artistic arc, and Carlos’ paintings have now evolved into works of art in a decidedly Fauvist style. Carlos’ paintings are characterized by the celebration of life in their joyous combination of pleasurable subjects and intensified color, and by his energized view of the world and its natural beauty.

In February 2022, he launched his genesis collection of NFTs--digital animations of his works on canvas with respected digital artist Isaiah Cacnio--and continues to work with this medium as he goes further on his artistic journey.


His artworks have been commissioned by various corporations and grace several offices and hotels such as a whole floor at the Raffles Hotel & Residences  (Manila) and Crimson Hotel (Manila).  His works have also been exhibited several times at the Ayala Museum and the Rockwell Center, among other venues. He has also had exhibitions abroad in cities including San Francisco, Hong Kong, and Brisbane. Features on the artist have been included in CNN Philippines, ANC, and numerous local publications such as The Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Philippine Star, One Mega.com, TatlerAsia.Com, Rappler, Business World, The Manila Bulletin, Lucerne Magazine, and CondoLiving as well as various foreign periodicals.
 

selected press

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Click the image to read the feature on Carlos in TatlerAsia.com.

Click the video to watch the feature on Carlos' most recent exhibition on ANC Digital.

March 2022

Within a month after minting his first NFTs, Carlos sold 2 on FND (foundation.app). As a result his profile trended to up to #4 in the collection rankings based on these sales, boosting what the NFT space calls proof of concept.
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October 2021

At the SpectaculArt Auction to benefit the social welfare programs of Sanctuario de San Antonio, the included Carlos paintings were selected as favourites by noted art patron and former Central Bank governor Dr. Jaime C. Laya and art critic Cid Reyes.  

"The paintings by Carlos are striking in their colors and subject, domestic scenes viewed as if distant memories. They remind me of the works of Matisse." - Dr. Jaime C. Laya


"Still life is one of my most favoured formats in art, and when situated in the context of a domestic interior, it has a calming charm that appeals to me, as if I had been invited to a private space of someone with extremely good taste." - Cid Reyes

Click images to expand.
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