Genuine Ocampo paintings

I WRITE to you in reaction to Cid Reyes’ July 30 Lifestyle article titled “Serious doubts cast on newly emerged cache of HR Ocampo paintings,” which implied that the works that I have authenticated are not my father’s.

Let me state for the record that I, Norma Ocampo-Flores, the daughter and the court-appointed administratrix of the estate of the late National Artist Hernando R. Ocampo, lived with my father in the same residence until his death in 1978. I acted as his personal secretary and served him in various capacities during his lifetime. I authenticated the paintings based on the fact that I personally saw my father create those works of art.

I take offense to the article as it seems to attack and ruin my reputation as well as my father’s. I assure the public that the paintings I authenticated are genuine creations of my father’s.

The alleged dubious origins of these works of art have tainted our family’s good name and tarnished the memory of my father.

The opinions of art critics are valuable to the industry; however, such opinions cannot go to the authenticity of works of art. It saddens me and my family that Reyes’ article now casts doubt on the authenticity of my father’s works, considering Reyes’ stature in the art community.

I request that in the spirit of fair play this letter be given the same space and publicity as the article of Reyes. The allegations and observations of the writer, as well as his anonymous sources, are damaging to my family’s reputation.

—NORMA OCAMPO-FLORES,

Quezon City