logo
Angelo Maristela: His art seeks to inspire and give back to God

Angelo Maristela: His art seeks to inspire and give back to God

GMA Network18-07-2025
Meet Angelo Maristela, the international artist whose paintings have graced homes and offices in the U.S. and the Middle East. Courtesy: The FilAm
Ask visual artist Angelo Maristela to share his story and chances are his starting point will be Qatar.
Angelo, his wife Lynn and their three children–sons Racco and Renfrew, and daughter Ressu—lived in this Middle Eastern country for seven years since 2009. Within this luxurious Arab monarchy, he worked for a wealthy businessman who owned posh residences, hotels and luxury buildings. He painted, produced one abstract art after another which were hung in the buildings and chains of restaurants his employer owned.
"I must have created 300 paintings," said Angelo when interviewed by The FilAm. "I must have created a portfolio of artworks that I consider part of the lasting legacy I left with the nation that became home to me and my family for over seven years."
Angelo also made history as the only Filipino artist, at the time, to be accepted into an exclusive Qatari art group, composed mainly of Arab artists. His works were featured frequently in magazines, newspapers, and online publications.
He held several exhibitions in Qatar, most of them solo shows. One was a horse-themed exhibit sponsored by one of the country's most powerful figures—the chairman of Qatar's largest conglomerate. The exhibition took place at a vast commercial facility in Al Samariya, which also housed a horse track and riding school. The event received coverage in Qatar TV and various print publications, further cementing Angelo's reputation in the region.
Since relocating to the United States in 2016, Angelo—though relatively new to the American art scene—has already made a notable impact. He has participated in various exhibitions across the country: New Jersey, New York, Nevada, and Florida. One of his most significant projects was a massive 27-by-8-foot mural displayed at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Times Square, New York City. Centered on themes of environmental conservation and global challenges, the mural, which was installed shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic, proved hauntingly prophetic. It depicted scenes of lockdowns, wildfires, and species extinction—realities that soon unfolded in the months that followed.
Maristela (rightmost) interacts with guests at an exhibit at Bilal Pearl Suites, a luxury building in Doha. Courtesy: The FilAm
In Connecticut where he resides, he paints at midnight when his family is safely in bed and he is alone in his thoughts masterfully creating, sketching, applying paint to canvas.
"That's the best time for me to paint," he said.
Realism is his realm. His lifelike reimaging of General Douglas MacArthur was recently unveiled at a West Point ceremony where it was bequeathed to the permanent collection of the U.S. Military's prestigious museum. He finally completed portraits of four statesmen and generals Douglas MacArthur, Ulysses Grant, George Patton, and Dwight Eisenhower commissioned by a prominent political personality.
He and his family were granted permanent residency under the EB1-A category— the Alien of Extraordinary Ability visa also known as the Einstein Visa reserved for individuals who are exceptional in their fields.
Awards and milestones
Raised by a single mother, young Angelo often found himself alone in their modest apartment in Manila while his mother worked. Though kind neighbors occasionally checked in, he spent many hours by himself, finding solace and stimulation in scraps of paper, pencils, pens, and scissors. The paper figures he fashioned lacked faces, prompting him to invent and draw them—an exercise that sharpened his imagination and ignited a lifelong passion for portraiture. By his teenage years, he was already earning from commissioned portrait works.
His 'One Habitat' mural displayed at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Times Square
He initially pursued a degree in AB English at St. Paul University in Tuguegarao, but ultimately followed his true calling, enrolling in the Bachelor of Fine Arts program with a major in Advertising at Far Eastern University in Manila. His academic excellence was evident—he consistently earned top marks for his projects and was frequently exempted from exams. His professors recognized his talent early on and continue to hold him in high regard to this day.
Maristela stands beside his 'One Habitat' mural displayed at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Times Square. Courtesy: The FilAm
His creative work was celebrated with several community awards. Between 2017 and 2018, he received special recognitions. He was awarded a Citation of Honor by the Borough of Queens, New York, acknowledging his excellence in the arts and his civic engagement. Additionally, he was honored with the Award of Excellence for the Arts by PACCAL, recognizing his artistic influence and dedication to the cultural landscape. In 2019, Angelo achieved another milestone when he was named the recipient of the Dr. Jose P. Rizal Award for Excellence in the Arts presented by the Knights of Rizal organization.
His artistic inclinations extended beyond the canvas. In his youth, he dabbled in acting, appeared in films, theater, and television shows, and took on roles in ramp, fashion, print, and TV ad commercial modeling. He also possesses a gift for singing and voice mimicry, further underscoring his diverse creative talents.
"My artwork is geared toward giving back to God for the talent that He blessed me with," he would say in response to praise about his art. "My goal is not just to provide a feast for the eyes but also to inspire."
Artist's statement:
I am a hyperrealist but the vastness of art inspires me to go beyond the confines of a single style. I have since expanded into contemporary art, dedicating years to researching and developing a distinctive form of abstraction that can only be associated with me. The materials I use are not ordinarily found in stores—they are the result of meticulous experimentation. Those familiar with my pieces can recognize them instantly through their characteristic flow, texture, and brushstrokes—my artistic DNA.
– The FilAm
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Gwyneth Paltrow is 'temporary spokesperson' for Astronomer following viral Coldplay concert video
Gwyneth Paltrow is 'temporary spokesperson' for Astronomer following viral Coldplay concert video

GMA Network

time6 hours ago

  • GMA Network

Gwyneth Paltrow is 'temporary spokesperson' for Astronomer following viral Coldplay concert video

Gwyneth Paltrow has been tapped as the 'temporary spokesperson' for Astronomer after the viral Coldplay concert video of an alleged affair caught on cam. On X (formerly Twitter), the AI and data company uploaded a funny video of the American actress addressing some of the questions for Astronomer — except she actually dodges them and promotes the company instead. Gwyneth, who is the ex-wife of Coldplay's lead singer, Chris Martin, affirmed the Astronomer's promises to its customers, also giving thanks for the interest given to the company. She concluded by stating Astronomer would return to 'delivering game-changing results for our customers.' Earlier this month at the Coldplay show in Boston, USA, the band's jumbotron focused on a couple, looking cozy as the man hugged the woman from behind. Upon seeing themselves on the big screen, they both ducked away and avoided the camera, leading Chris and netizens into thinking they were having an affair. The two were identified as Astronomer's CEO Andy Byron and HR head Kristin Cabot, who both eventually resigned from their positions. Thank you for your interest in Astronomer. — Astronomer (@astronomerio) July 25, 2025 —Carby Rose Basina/JCB, GMA Integrated News

Philippine Pavilion unveils 'Soil-beings (Lamanlupa)' at Venice Architecture Biennale in Italy
Philippine Pavilion unveils 'Soil-beings (Lamanlupa)' at Venice Architecture Biennale in Italy

GMA Network

time9 hours ago

  • GMA Network

Philippine Pavilion unveils 'Soil-beings (Lamanlupa)' at Venice Architecture Biennale in Italy

The Philippine Pavilion has opened its doors to the public at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia in Italy with an exhibition titled 'Soil-beings (Lamánlupa).' The exhibition curated by Renan Laru-an and featuring the work of German-Filipino artist Christian Tenefrancia Illi aims to challenge traditional architectural perspectives by presenting soil not as a mere material, but as a dynamic, living entity. It reimagines the foundational relationship between architecture and soil, shifting focus from structure to the underlying substrate. The exhibition also aims to foster more reciprocal and ethical relationships with the earth, inviting architects, designers, and the public to engage with soil as an active participant in shaping the built environment. At the heart of the exhibition is 'Terrarium,' an installation by Illi, which is composed of nearly 1,000 soil tiles gathered from various Philippine landscapes. According to a press release, Terrarium is the culmination of Illi's months of research, collaboration, and site-specific experimentation across the Philippines and beyond. Co-founder of Studio KIM/ILLI, Illi works between Berlin and Bacolod. —Carby Rose Basina/JCB, GMA Integrated News

Saturday Group to mark 57th anniversary with exhibit in Mandaluyong
Saturday Group to mark 57th anniversary with exhibit in Mandaluyong

GMA Network

time10 hours ago

  • GMA Network

Saturday Group to mark 57th anniversary with exhibit in Mandaluyong

The Saturday Group is set to celebrate its 57th anniversary with a major exhibit titled '57.' The group of Filipino artists will feature works from numerous members, including Ronnie Bercero, Franklin Caña, Daisy Carlos, Salvador Ching, Buds Convocar, Nida Cranbourne, Jonathan Dangue, Anna De Leon, Robert Deniega, and Ysa Gernale. Also showcasing their works are Maryrose Gisbert, Amado Hidalgo, Celeste Lecaroz, Francis Nacion, Roel Obemio, Carlo Ongchangco, Anthony Palo, Tessie Picaña, Omi Reyes, Joy Rojas, Eman Santos, Aner Sebastian, Sheila Tiangco, Magoo Valencia, Lydia Velasco, Joseph Villamar, Jik Villanueva, Migs Villanueva, Gene Artango-Villasper, Inna Nanep-Vitasa, Chewy Yap, and Melissa Yeung Yap. 'The anniversary exhibit is a continuation of the long-time tradition established by the esteemed pillars of the Saturday Group,' Saturday Group president Salvador Ching said in a statement. He added that the show is also 'a showcase of the diverse and unique styles of our present membership.' The exhibition aims to demonstrate the group's advocacy to provide a creative space for member-artists and share their works with Filipino art enthusiasts. The '57' exhibition is located at Gallery BiG, 4L, Main Wing, Shangri-la Plaza, Mandaluyong City, and will run from July 26 to August 9. —Carby Rose Basina/JCB, GMA Integrated News

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store