Leonard Aguinaldo
Baguio-born visual artist Leonard Aguinaldo has emerged as one of the leading rubbercut artists locally. A champion of ethnographic art, he has crafted depictions of Cordillera life and highland traditions. He trained in architectural drafting at the Baguio Colleges Foundation where he developed the discipline and confidence in honing his craft. His printmaking technique makes use of a rubber plate to produce his composition, adding texture to his work, which he finishes with carving tools and printers ink.
Aguinaldo creates impressions of life in Northern Philippines, focusing on the highland cultures, while blending the traditional ways with technological changes.
His unique style has rewarded him with numerous awards, including Special Selection at the Sea Art Festival Installation Contest in Busan, Korea in 2002, a recipient of CCP’s Thirteen Artists Award (Cultural Center of the Philippines) in 2003, Grand Prize at the Asean Art Awards sponsored by Philip Morris Asia Ltd, Bangkok, Thailand in 2004, and the Father Jose Burgos Achievement Award, 8th Kannawidan Ilocos Festival in Vigan, Ilocos Sur in 2015.
Aguinaldo has launched solo exhibitions almost annually since 1994 and he has also participated in group exhibitions since 1989. In addition, he has illustrated several books and other publications, still focusing on the indigenous culture of highland people.