DID YOU KNOW: National Artist J. Elizalde Navarro

Today, May 22, is the 93rd birth anniversary of National Artist for Painting J. Elizalde Navarro. A proficient painter and sculptor, Navarro was born in 1924 and named National Artist in 1999. Three of his prominent mixed media works are “I’m Sorry Jesus, I Can’t Attend Christmas This Year” (1965), “Homage to Dodjie Laurel” (1969), and “A Flying Contraption for Mr. Icarus” (1984). Navarro died on June 10, 1999. —MARIELLE MEDINA, INQUIRER RESEARCH