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Biography

Leslie DE CHAVEZ(b.1978) is an artist who cautiously unravels his own inquiry on sensitive topics like colonial history, religion, cultural imperialism, corrupt politics, revolution in which experienced by his native Philippines with expressive and intense paintings and sensuous installations. His work, captures the story of the past, the people living in the present, and the will for the future, which mainly constitutes a country of the contemporaneous Philippines and offers an extraordinary insight into the past and features an interesting and colorful expression of various critical points that are seen in contemporary society by mixed with religion and symbolic figures.

 

The foundation of his creative work is a deep concern about what role and function art plays in society. DE CHAVEZ captures social change and criticizes irrationality and corruption and exposes them in front, has a mysterious, personal aspect, despite brings empathy from the majority. Fragmented memories of individuals scattered over large and rough historical facts, by using it with objects or people surrounding, connect the past and present, and social and individual relationships. Interest in objects that are commonly found is the starting point for his work. His carving work is a mix of materials, urban or mechanical production, such as LEDs and sand, as well as objects once used, such as wooden boards, old monitors and clothes. Regardless of the genre, the people and the stories it's behind in his work, it captures the painful past and reality that cannot be ignored. The stories are extremely based on Filipino society and history, but it is never just a story of a particular society, but anyone can relate to it.

 

Leslie DE CHAVEZ has held solo exhibitions at Arario Gallery Shanghai (Shanghai, China) in 2018; Arario Gallery Seoul (Seoul, Korea) in 2016; Liverpool Hope University (Liverpool, UK) in 2015; and Silverlens (Manila, Philippines) in 2013. He has shown in group exhibitions at the Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum (Bratislava, Slovakia) in 2019; Jeju Museum of Contemporary Art (Jeju, Korea) in 2015; and Arario Museum in Space (Seoul, Korea) and López Museum and Library (Manila, Philippines) in 2014. The artist has also participated in international exhibitions including the Singapore Biennale (Singapore) in 2013; Asian Art Biennial (Taiwan) in 2011; Nanjing Triennial (China) in 2008; Pocheon Asia Biennale (Korea) in 2007; and Beppu Asia Biennale of Contemporary Art (Japan) in 2005.

Works
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, There Is Not Enough Pain and Pleasure in the World to Permit Giving Any of It Away to the Greed of Mankind, 2022
    There Is Not Enough Pain and Pleasure in the World to Permit Giving Any of It Away to the Greed of Mankind, 2022
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, The Parable of the Poet in the Anguish of Existence, 2021
    The Parable of the Poet in the Anguish of Existence, 2021
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, Pablo, 2020
    Pablo, 2020
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, Subjugating the Nuclear II: Ang Pagdadalisay, 2020
    Subjugating the Nuclear II: Ang Pagdadalisay, 2020
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, Aninag (Glare), 2018
    Aninag (Glare), 2018
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, Bangkulasi, 2018
    Bangkulasi, 2018
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, Bought and Sold, 2018
    Bought and Sold, 2018
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, Buro (Fermented), 2018
    Buro (Fermented), 2018
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, Déjà vu, 2018
    Déjà vu, 2018
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, Ego-Altered-Ego, 2018
    Ego-Altered-Ego, 2018
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, Every Drop, 2018
    Every Drop, 2018
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, Gold, Silver, Death, 2018
    Gold, Silver, Death, 2018
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, Hide and Seen, 2018
    Hide and Seen, 2018
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, Higa sa Hangin (Lying Down in Air), 2018
    Higa sa Hangin (Lying Down in Air), 2018
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, Imor(t)al: Those Who Do Not Move Do Not Notice Their Chains, 2018
    Imor(t)al: Those Who Do Not Move Do Not Notice Their Chains, 2018
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, Lagabag ng Pangakong Katubusan (Fall of the Promised Deliverance), 2018
    Lagabag ng Pangakong Katubusan (Fall of the Promised Deliverance), 2018
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, Lason ang Tula at Panghimagas Nitong Talinhaga (Poem as Poison and Its Metaphor as Dessert), 2018
    Lason ang Tula at Panghimagas Nitong Talinhaga (Poem as Poison and Its Metaphor as Dessert), 2018
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, Nightmare to the Peace in Heaven, 2018
    Nightmare to the Peace in Heaven, 2018
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, Pinalakpak: After Prometheus Unbound, 2018
    Pinalakpak: After Prometheus Unbound, 2018
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, Props: Estados Aparatos (Props: State Apparatus), 2018
    Props: Estados Aparatos (Props: State Apparatus), 2018
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, Sandata ng Diwa, 2018
    Sandata ng Diwa, 2018
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, State of the Nation II, 2018
    State of the Nation II, 2018
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, To the Person Sitting in Darkness, 2018
    To the Person Sitting in Darkness, 2018
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, What We Don't Know Won't Hurt You, 2018
    What We Don't Know Won't Hurt You, 2018
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, Memoir of Traitor's Love, 2017
    Memoir of Traitor's Love, 2017
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, Apog, 2016
    Apog, 2016
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, The escape to being and becoming, 2016
    The escape to being and becoming, 2016
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, Dead Calm, 2015
    Dead Calm, 2015
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, 24 Men, 2014
    24 Men, 2014
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, Highest quality, 2014
    Highest quality, 2014
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, I just can't stop loving you, 2014
    I just can't stop loving you, 2014
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, I Swallow Me Everyday, 2013
    I Swallow Me Everyday, 2013
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, DPWH Meme The Penetration , 2012
    DPWH Meme The Penetration , 2012
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, Dengue, 2011
    Dengue, 2011
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, Midnight shift, 2011
    Midnight shift, 2011
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, Mondays Are Forever, 2011
    Mondays Are Forever, 2011
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, PDA System Motherfuckers, 2011
    PDA System Motherfuckers, 2011
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, The Dictator, 2011
    The Dictator, 2011
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, Thy will be done, 2011
    Thy will be done, 2011
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, Trick or Threat, 2011
    Trick or Threat, 2011
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, Vanity = Spectacle + Drama, 2011
    Vanity = Spectacle + Drama, 2011
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, Bureau-Crazy, 2010
    Bureau-Crazy, 2010
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, Household Virtue No. 1, 2010
    Household Virtue No. 1, 2010
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, Numb, 2010
    Numb, 2010
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, Pleghm , 2010
    Pleghm , 2010
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, Same Old Bananas, 2010
    Same Old Bananas, 2010
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, Talampunay, 2010
    Talampunay, 2010
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, Asian Wave, 2007
    Asian Wave, 2007
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, Everyday, 2007
    Everyday, 2007
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, LBFM: Lilly, 2007
    LBFM: Lilly, 2007
  • Leslie DE CHAVEZ, Natamong Korona (Crowning Glory), 2003
    Natamong Korona (Crowning Glory), 2003
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