Imao (third from left) has been inspired by Islam as seen in sculptures composed of the elements of the name of Allah using Arabic calligraphy.

MANILA – Filipino Muslims wholeheartedly welcomed the decoration of sculptor Abdulmari Asia Imao who became the country's first Muslim to belong to the elite Order of National Artists.

"He is a great Moro artist who deserves the award. We are so proud of him," Hajji Ibrahim, a Manila-based Moro, told IslamOnline.net on Sunday, June 11.

He added that Imao's achievement "brings to fore the art of the Muslims in Mindanao."

Imao received the prestigious Order of National Artists, Philippines' version of Nobel Peace Prize, in a ceremony on Friday, June 9, for his "significant contributions to the development of Philippine arts and to the cultural heritage of the country."

He joined six other national artists for literature, dance, visual arts, film, and fashion design. Imao was named national artist for sculpture.

They were honored for their "preeminent excellence in their own fields and for their national genius that contributes to the artistic heritage of the Philippines and the world."

Muslims make up some five percent of the country's estimated 89,5 million population, according to the CIA online facts book.

The mineral-rich southern region of Mindanao is the birthplace of Islam in the Philippines.

Recognition

Zorayda Ismael, a Moro art enthusiast, was equally jubilant.

"For me, his achievement is the whole Moro people's triumph. Our art has been recognized by the mainstream," he said.

"This is a great leap from our being marginalized for decades and decades now. This is a step away from discrimination," added an excited Ismael.

The Order of National Artists, formerly known as the National Artist Award, was established 34 years ago, and is aimed at recognizing Filipino artistic accomplishment at its highest level and to promote creative expression as significant to the development of a national cultural identity.

Imao is a sculptor, painter, photographer, professor, metal casting consultant and cultural researcher.

He obtained his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture, in 1959 at the University of the Philippines and his Master of Fine Arts in Sculpture in 1962 at the University of Kansas.

The 69-year-old artist draws his inspiration from the Tausug and Maranao artistic traditions of southern Philippines, particularly the art of "okir" wood carving design.

He has always been inspired by his Muslim faith, as seen in several highly original and beautiful series of sculptures composed of the elements of the name of Allah using Arabic calligraphy."

Imao is popular for his "sarimanok" design of "okir" depicting a bird holding a fish in its beak. Many "okir" designs are used as decorative elements in architecture.

"Okir" is a design tradition that shows evidence of Indian and Islamic influences and done on hardwood and brass, where the designs are mostly figurative, depicting animals, plants, and mythical figures.

The style is highly decorative, with long curvilinear lines and secondary arabesques. The designs are based in the ancient epics and serve as significant cultural symbols.

Organizations and groups which nominated him describe Imao as having helped the indigenous Muslim groups Tausugs, Maranaos, Cordillerans, T'bolis and other indigenous peoples "develop their art by introducing techniques and promote efficiency and economy in the use of indigenous materials in all aspects of the brass making process, as in the making of moulds and ornamentation."

Imao's expertise made him active in developing brass casting technologies throughout Asia, particularly in Sri Lanka, Thailand and Indonesia.

Through his work, he has been recognized internationally as a brass-making consultant of the United Nations.