Artist’s Spotlight

Sam Penaso

Sam Penaso, a versatile artist with a wide range of artistic expressions encompassing traditional painting, sculpture, performance art, and innovative hybrid creations bridging these creative domains. His illustrious career includes the staging of 30 solo exhibitions across prominent global art hubs such as Japan, Thailand, Austria, Germany, Singapore, New York, Abu Dhabi, and Berlin. Notably, he represented the Philippines at the esteemed 8th Beijing International Art Biennale-China in 2019 and the Exhibition Exchange in Hanoi, Vietnam in 2018. Furthermore, Penaso has showcased his talents at notable events like the Nippon International Performance Art Festival in 2005 and 2011, the Asian International Art Exhibition in Bandung, Indonesia, ArTriangle in Malaysia, and the Young Art Philippines Europe Tour in Seoul, Korea, featuring his captivating “Stripewalker” performance.

Sam Penaso‘s artistic journey has been enriched by several prestigious art grants, including the Don Papa Rum residency in London in 2019, the Arthub Art Residency in Abu Dhabi in 2014, and the Asian Cultural Council (ACC) International Studio and Curatorial Program in New York in 2013. In recognition of his artistic prowess, he clinched the first place in the 2012 Art Association of the Philippines Annual Art Competition, following a notable finalist position in the 2006 Beppu Asia Biennale of Contemporary Art in Japan. His accolades extend to the Winter Grand Salon Show in New York in 2013 as a finalist, along with securing the First Prize in the GSIS Art Competition in 2014 and 2016. The year 2018 brought further distinction as Penaso was honored with the Award of Merit from the Philippine Art Awards and the Metrobank Awards for Continuing Excellence and Service (Metrobank ACES). His most recent achievement includes the grand prize in the Don Papa Rum Arts competition and the Excellence Award at the 6th Geoje International Art Festival in South Korea.

Beyond his individual artistic pursuits, Sam Penaso stands as an integral member of Tupada Action and Media Art (TAMA), a collective of performance artists. A native of Guindulman, Bohol, Penaso earned his Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree with a major in Advertising from the Technological University of the Philippines. His remarkable artistic journey serves as a testament to his dedication and contribution to the world of visual and performance art.