Ben Hur Villanueva

Ben-Hur Gorospe Villanueva (October 28, 1938 – January 25, 2020) ^[1][2] was a Filipino sculptor, painter, educator, lecturer, and art entrepreneur based in Baguio.^[3]

He has also served as a president for the Society of Philippine Sculptors (SPS), as Art director for the Ephpheta Foundation for the Blind, Inc., and as vice president-treasurer for Unesco's International Art Association (IAA).^[3]

Notable works

Ben Hur Villanueva is best known as a sculptor, working with brass, metal, and wood. Notable sculptures^[3] by Villanueva include:

• Kapit-Bisig - a commemorative Narra wood sculpture of four figures locking arms, which was presented by President Corazon Aquino to the Filipino people on the first anniversary of the 1986 EDSA Revolution.^[4]
• Among Supremo - a sculpture of Andres Bonifacio in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
• Thy Will Be Done - a sculpture at the campus of Saint Paul University Quezon City
• St. Aloysius Gonzaga - a sculpture at the campus of Saint Louis University in Baguio
• Risen Christ - a statue in Caleruega, Nasugbu, Batangas

He held regular art exhibitions around the Philippines, and also occasionally exhibited in New York, Paris, Tokyo, Singapore, Helsinki, and Havana.^[3]

Teaching career

Villanueva spent 30 years teaching arts at the Ateneo de Manila Grade School in Quezon City, Philippines.^[5] In interviews he said this experience convicted him of the importance of the school motto, "Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam" (For the greater Glory of God and A Man for Others). "Every individual has his/her artistic inclinations and propensity be it visual, music, dance, literary, or fashion and so he/she has the right to enhance and utilize it creatively," he is quoted as saying. "Sharing it with others is what makes our life more meaningful and blessed."^[3]

Retirement to Baguio and Arko ni Apo

Keeping these beliefs in mind, Villanueva moved to Baguio upon retiring from teaching at Ateneo in 1992.^[6] He put up an arts workshop, Arko Ni Apo (Ilocano: Ark of the Lord), and he started spearheading various art-related activities catering to people ranging from professionals, educators, students, young artists, television/film writers and directors, street children, to various religious groups.^[3]

Death

He died on January 25, 2020, in Baguio, Philippines due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.^[2]