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L is for Leslie De Chavez, A-Z of Filipino Cultural Exports

‘Manila-born Filipino artist Leslie de Chavez is a young artist who cautiously deals with sensitive topics including cultural imperialism, colonial history, contemporary life, politics and religion in his country.  He contemplates deeply about the significant function, influence and directivity of art in society’.

I had the pleasure of meeting the talented Leslie De Chavez, through another newly found Filipino friend, earlier this year. Leslie was in London for the day, gallery hopping with fellow artist/curator Father Jason Dy. United through our shared interests in art and internationalism, together (with the company of my husband, artist – Liam Scully) we shared food and laughter, at Pakistani curry house Tayabs . Whilst discussing world affairs and gossiping about art world players, I was struck by how open and honest the mood was, despite our cultural and geographic boundries. Both De Chavez and Father Jason Dy were awarded residencies of sorts at Liverpool Hope University. Father Jason Dy is currently an international MA student, studying curating, whilst De Chavez was awarded the fourth international artist residency in 2014, resulting in an exhibition at the university’s gallery, entitled ‘Unfolding Encounters’

‘Recognised for his distinguished talent and sensibility in painting, deChavez casts bitter metaphors on the society he lives in, suggesting a response to realities through reconstruction and reinvention of narratives, issues, icons and symbols of the times.

Leslie de Chavez has held several solo exhibitions in the Philippines, China, Korea, Singapore and Switzerland.  He has also participated in several notable exhibitions and art festivals, which include the Singapore Biennale 2013, 3rd Asian Art Biennale in Taiwan 2011, 3rd Nanjing Triennial in China 2008, 1st Pocheon Asia Biennale in South Korea 2007.

A two-time winner (2010 and 2014) of the Ateneo Art Awards for Visual Art, Leslie deChavez is also the director of the artist-run initiative Project Space Pilipnas, in Lucban, Quezon.  He is exclusively represented by Arario Gallery since 2006’.

#OFW more than a country of good looking, half-wit, opportunistic terrorists


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