Llaguno, Lina

Born in Daraga, Albay, Philippines, Lina Llaguno is a globally accomplished visual artist and designer who has spent over half a century constructing a prolific international practice. After sharpening her formal techniques under the modern masters of the University of the Philippines, she migrated to Europe to pursue advanced academic studies and embedded herself within the vanguard design circles of Rome and Milan.

Llaguno has achieved the unique distinction of establishing a dual-studio model: working out of her permanent studio overlooking the lake in Trevignano Romano, Italy, while routinely returning to her native roots to produce works from her coastal studio in Sogod, Bacacay, Albay, facing the Pacific Ocean. Her historic contributions to representing the Filipino diaspora on the global stage earned her the highest civilian recognition for overseas citizens from the Philippine government.

Education & European Training
Fine Arts Degree: Graduated from the University of the Philippines (UP) School of Fine Arts, Diliman, Quezon City.

Advanced Institutional Studies: Pursued postgraduate specialized training at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Perugia, Italy.

Commercial Art Direction & Design
Before dedicating herself fully to her contemporary gallery practice, Llaguno built a formidable reputation as an international graphic designer, corporate art director, and editorial book illustrator across Southeast Asia and Europe:

Art Director / Designer: McCann-Erickson (Manila and Rome), Image Plan International (Milan), and BBDO/Italia (Rome).

Graphx Studio: Co-founded and operated Graphx, a highly successful independent graphic design and corporate branding studio in Rome, Italy.

Major Awards & Presidential Accolades
2002: Conferred the Pamana ng Pilipino Presidential Award for Excellence in the Visual Arts. This prestigious state decoration honors outstanding overseas Filipino individuals who have brought immense honor to the nation through their lifetime professional achievements.

Exhibition History
Selected Solo Exhibitions
Llaguno has mounted an extensive registry of individual features across Italy, New York, and Manila, anchored by a multi-decade institutional partnership with Galleria Duemila:

2005: Telltales – Galleria Duemila, Pasay City, Philippines

2003: Strings and Things – Galleria Duemila, Manila

2003: Lina Llaguno Solo Feature – Permanent Studio Gallery, Trevignano Romano, Italy

2002: Umbrella Games – Galleria Duemila, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City

2000: Nowhereverywhere – Galleria Duemila, SM Megamall

1999: Regional Home-Coming Feature – Tabaco City, Albay, Philippines

1998: Lina Llaguno-Ciani Paintings – Galleria Duemila, SM Megamall

1997: Infinities – Galleria Duemila, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City

1983 & 1982: Albay Homecoming Presentations – Legazpi City, Albay

1981: Artist in Two Worlds – Genesis Gallery, New York City, USA

1981: Dual Exhibition – Galleria Duemila and Heritage Art Center, Manila

1979: Lina Llaguno Paintings – Trifalco Gallery, Rome, Italy

1978–1980: Continuous Annual Solos – City Gallery, Manila

1975: Lina Llaguno – Galleria Il Muro, Venice, Italy

1974: A Touch of Surrealism – Solidaridad Galleries, Manila (Breakthrough domestic solo)

1974: Lina Llaguno – Galleria Cecchini, Perugia, Italy

1973: Solo Exposition – Terni, Italy

1971: One-Woman Show – Hidalgo Gallery, Manila (Professional Debut)

Selected Group & Transnational Showcases
1998: UP Fine Arts Alumni Survey – Ayala Museum, Makati City, Philippines

1984: ASEAN Arts Exhibit – National Technical Survey, Jakarta, Indonesia

1984: ASEAN Arts Festival – Galleria Duemila, Manila

1983: Collectors Treasures – Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Manila

1980: Diaspora Survey – Co-sponsored by the Amauan Workshop, the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), and the Philippine Forum of New York, USA

1974: Expo ’74 World’s Fair – Featured Representative at the Philippine Pavilion and Slide Exhibition, Spokane, Washington, USA

1972: First European Exhibit for Filipina Artists – Chamber of Commerce Hall, Terni, Italy (A historic survey introducing modern Filipina voices to Western Europe)