Xavier Abelador is a much sought-after representational and surrealist painter, one of the first Ivatan artists who have completed formal training and gained a Bachelor of Fine Arts from FEATI University. While in Manila, he earned many distinctions such as runner–up for the ArtPetron 2006 contest, a finalist in the Shell Art competition in the same year, and a finalist in the PLDT – DPC cover design contest of 2005 – 2006.
He paints Batanes in an impressionist manner but also produces haunting imagery when he melds indigenous motifs with a mythic scale of imagination in his remarkable surreal paintings.
Batanes is the ultimate inspiration in his art; the culture, heritage, and its people. The place itself is an art. For him, art is a record of artists’ stories, thoughts, and recollections. His primary goal in painting is to share a significant story, highlight colors, and accent light sources. In Awee’s work, he aims for the viewers to have dreamlike scenes, and perceive spaces that are acquainted with them but in an altered dimension.
His advocacy as an artist is to share his knowledge in painting, and the business of art and to inspire people to paint. For him, Art creation is a therapy, fun, and must be shared.
He has exhibited his works in Hiraya Gallery, Ayala Museum, Tam - Awan Village Gallery, GSIS Museum of Art, ManilArt, Hongkong, Germany, and recently participated in an Art Residency in Kaohsiung Taiwan. He is now living with his wife in their small art studio in Batanes, Philippines.
