November 4, 1935 Born in Mindanao, Philippine Archipelago

EDUCATION:

Studies in Manila

Period of political engagement.

All of Tomas CONCEPCION's painting and sculpture is politically inspired and concerns current world events:

He left the Philippines in his early youth to study art at San Francisco State University and then went on to Canada, where he attended l'Ecole des Beaux Arts in Montreal. Always fascinated by ancient history, Tomas was eventually lured to Italy, one of the childhood homes of Western culture, where he attended l'Accademia di Belle Arti in Rome and where he has remained ever since.

Not limited to sculpture as a medium, Tomas is a very fine draftsman and a consummate lithographer. He recently completed a series of lithographs based on the signs of the zodiac, which portray the tendencies in love of each sign. Produced in an edition of 50, with five artist's proofs, each print is hand-pulled by the artist. Tomas consulted with one of Italy's finest astrologers to arrive at his images, which are calculated to suggest an orientation toward love.

Love is a recurring theme in much of Concepcion's work. It is the underlying motive of his humanitarian concerns. For him it is seen as the antidote to the greed and intolerance which catalyse hatred, a necessary additive before the world can ragain its balance. « I try to convey my beliefs in my work, » the artist says. « If it can do something, have some tangible effect, that is its purpose. »

Palazzo Brancaccio, Roma 1960    
La Feluca, Roma 1960
Palazzo delle Esposizioni 1961 
Biennale di Parigi, Parigi 1963
Galleria Insieme, Spoleto
Galleria KAMA, Roma
Museo Palazzo Braschi, Roma
Asia House, New York
Accademia Antico Poggio 2002, Tarquinia, Italia
Cooper Union, Institute, New York
Accademia Antico Poggio 2006, Tarquinia  

Monuments
Walking Christ, Israel
 Pope PaoloVI, Vaticano
Pole Giovanni Paolo II, Vaticano
Padre Bayl,  Brownvill, Texas
Fr. Junipero Serra, Los Angeles, California