Oliver Marquez’s journey as an artist is a testament to perseverance, cultural awareness, and an unwavering commitment to artistic excellence. Born on April 30, 1974, in Angeles City, Pampanga, he was raised in a family deeply involved in wildlife illustration, an early exposure that shaped his artistic foundation. However, his journey was not without obstacles. The eruption of Mt. Pinatubo forced his family to relocate to Malolos, Bulacan, disrupting his formative years in art.

Despite financial limitations preventing him from formally pursuing Fine Arts, Marquez enrolled in a Drafting course at Bulacan State University in 1993. Though technical in nature, this education did not satisfy his artistic aspirations. His father, a respected painter, became his mentor, instilling in him discipline and a profound respect for the power of visual narratives. For over a decade, Marquez set aside his artistic pursuits to run a sign-making business. However, in 2011, a friend’s encouragement reignited his passion for painting, marking his return to the art world with renewed purpose and depth.

Notable Achievements

Marquez has become a heavyweight in the Philippine art scene, consistently winning major national competitions.

• Major Accolades: He has secured Grand Prizes from PAGCOR, the Art Association of the Philippines (AAP), and the Pagsanjan Art Competition.

• Recent Success: A frequent winner and finalist in the GSIS National Art Competition over the last decade, he achieved his most recent milestone as the 2025 GSIS Grand Winner in the Non-representational category.

• Cultural Honor: In 2019, he was honored with the Dangal ng Lipi for Visual Arts in Bulacan.