Diaz, Duddley

Born in Manila, Duddley Diaz is a premier international Filipino sculptor whose career spans over four decades of profound cross-cultural achievement. He began his artistic journey at the University of the Philippines Diliman before securing a prestigious, long-term scholarship from the Italian government, allowing him to spend years embedding himself in the foundational cradle of European sculpture in Tuscany.

As a bridge between the art capitals of Manila and Florence, Diaz has accumulated deep institutional acclaim. He has designed major public monuments across Italy and the Philippines, and his works are highly sought after by religious institutions, academic hubs, and premier public collections worldwide.

Education & Fellowships:

1988–1990: School of Painting – Accademia di Belle Arti, Florence, Italy

1984–1988: School of Sculpture – Accademia di Belle Arti, Florence, Italy

1979–1983: Bachelor of Fine Arts – University of the Philippines Diliman (Scholar of the Cultural Center of the Philippines)

1998: Freeman Full Fellowship Grant – Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, Vermont, USA

Major Awards & Distinctions:

2008: Centennial Award – University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA)

2007: Patnubay sa Sining Award for Sculpture – City of Manila

2005: Grand Prize for Sculpture – Metrobank Foundation Art Design Excellence

2002: Special Award for La Madonna del Popolo – Cathedral of Verona, Italy

2001: Presidential Award for Outstanding Filipino Abroad (Banaag Award)

1982: Gold Medal for Sculpture – 35th Art Association of the Philippines (AAP) Annual Art Competition

Key Commissioned Public Monuments:

Via Crucis (2010): Our Lady of the Star Chapel, De La Salle Santiago Zobel School, Alabang, Philippines

Votive Bronze Images (2006): Installed permanently at the Piazza Madonna Dell'Arco, Sant'Anastasia, Naples, Italy

Ina (2001): Landmark Carrara marble sculpture installed in the gardens of the iconic UP Chapel of the Holy Sacrifice, Diliman, Quezon City

Via Crucis (1999): San Tommaso a Lama Church, Perugia, Italy

Dr. Jose Rizal Monument (1998): Commissioned for the First Centenary of Philippine Independence

San Lorenzo Ruiz Monument (1987): Pontificio Collegio Filippino, Rome, Italy

Selected Solo Exhibitions:

2019: Easter Collection – Galleria Duemila, Pasay City, Philippines

2013: Recurring Image – Galleria Duemila, Pasay City, Philippines

2010: Myths and Goddesses – The Byatt-Claeyssens Gallery, Sonoma Academy, California, USA

2009: Messenger of the Gods: A Duddley Diaz Retrospective – UP Jorge B. Vargas Museum, Diliman, Quezon City

2009: Epifanie: Manifestations of the Sacred – Galleria Duemila, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City

2007: The White Goddess and Others – The Washington Gallery, Penarth (Cardiff), Wales, UK

2004: Mothers and Goddesses – The Zone Art Gallery, Greve in Chianti, Italy

2001: Duddley Diaz: Sculptures, Drawings, and Jewelry – The Drawing Room, Makati City, Philippines

1997: Il Mito e la Madre – Earl Lu Gallery, LASALLE-SIA College of the Arts, Singapore

1994: Haliya and Other Myths – Hiraya Gallery, Manila, Philippines