SM Aura Premier and NCCA Celebrates Francisco V. Coching's 100th thru an Art Exhibit

Francisco V. Coching, a master storyteller in images and print was born on January 29, 1919. He was the son of noted Tagalog Novelist and comics illustrator Gregorio Coching. Known as the "Dean of Filipino Illustrators," Francisco's illustrations and novels were products of that happy combination of fertile imagination, a love of storytelling, and fine craftsmanship. He synthesized images and stories informing Philippine folk and popular imagination of the culture.

In 1934, he was a central force in the formation of the popular art form of comics. He was a part of the golden age of the Filipino comics in the 1950s and 60's. Until his early retirement in 1973, Coching mesmerized the comics-reading public as well as his fellow artists, cartoonists and writers. Filmmakers like National Artists Lamberto Javellana and Gerardo de Leon translated his novels into films.

Coching caught the imagination of the Pinoy, enough to be able to translate many of his comics into silverscreen; the artist eventually served as a consultant in the filming of his novels, resulting in movies that are now like a time capsule for a bygone era.

He was recognized as Philippine National Artist for Visual Arts in June 2014 for giving form, in words and artwork, to the complex mix of mythology, romance, human drama, legends and heroes that somehow developed the visual consciousness of the ordinary Filipinos.

Coching succeeded in bridging the gap between fine art and popular art. He initiated aspiring artists into comics illustration, in fact, his art style is still being emulated by countless artists in contemporary art, painting and animation.

As tribute to F. V. Coching's centennial year this 2019, SM Aura Premier in partnership with the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts is sponsoring the Centennial Exhibit for the King of Komiks.

The exhibit features original artworks, Unang Labas komiks spreads, and life-size reproductions of his most popular characters and works. 

Visit the exhibit from February 18-24, 2019 at the Upper Ground Floor Atrium, SM Aura Premier. This exhibit is free and open to all.