“I subscribe to the notion that the proliferation of images used today for thinking and communication has broadened people’s sense of visuality. It continues to increase porosity to the boundaries that restrict conventional art practices… But I also think that the more daily life is inundated by images, the more we aestheticise almost anything today, the more we should be mindful and critical of their use – ethically, socially and politically.”
Leo Abaya holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Holy Name University, Tagbilaran, Bohol, The Philippines; a Bachelor of Arts degree in Painting from the College of Fine Arts, University of Fine Arts, Diliman, The Philippines; and a Master of Fine Arts in Fine Art from Winchester School of Art, University of Southampton, United Kingdom. He currently lives and works in Quezon City, Philippines.
Abaya practices in a variety of media, including painting, collage, works on paper, sculpture, and installation. In 2013, Abaya added full-length feature filmmaking to his practice. His debut film, Instant Mommy, was screened as one of ten finalists at the 9th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, and at the 33rd Hawaii International Film Festival (Spotlight on the Philippines), the 50th Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival (Asian Window), the 11th World Film Festival of Bangkok (Asian Perspective), the 10th Dubai International Film Festival (Cinema of Asia and Africa), and the 9th Osaka Asian Film Festival (Special Screening). On July 2014, the film makes its Canadian premiere at Your Kontinent: 4th Richmond International Film and Media Arts Festival.
http://cargocollective.com/leoabaya
