Rod Pedralba
Rod Pedralba, a prolific Filipino-Canadian artist, is renowned for his unique Cubist style that fuses structured patterns with spontaneous expression. Born in the Philippines in 1953, Pedralba trained as an architectural draftsman before immigrating to Canada in 1974. His artistic journey began in the mid-1980s under the mentorship of celebrated Filipino impressionist Sofronio Ylanan Mendoza (SYM), the founder of the Dimasalang Artists Group. SYM's guidance and outdoor painting sessions sparked Pedralba's passion for capturing light, nature, and nostalgic cityscapes.
While initially inspired by wildlife artist Robert Bateman, Pedralba’s work evolved into a unique Cubist style, blending geometric abstraction with representational subjects. His paintings frequently depict nature, classic cars, and cultural scenes from his travels across Europe, Australia, and the Philippines. Notably, his portrayal of the critically endangered Philippine eagle is a testament to his deep connection to his homeland.