Aguinaldo, Leonardo

Born in Baguio City in 1967, Leonardo Aguinaldo is a Benguet-based artist and one of the most distinctive voices in Northern Luzon’s contemporary artscape. His life and practice are deeply rooted in the highlands, with his ongoing immersion in community life serving as the animating force behind his creations.

Through his art, Aguinaldo honors the people of his region, holding space for their stories with both tenderness and truth. His work serves as a vital bridge connecting the ancestral with the contemporary, the personal with the communal, and the local with the global.

Artistic Highlights:

Roots & Inspiration: Deeply tied to the Cordillera highlands, drawing continuous inspiration from local customs, spirituality, and community life.

Signature Mediums: Expert wood carving, rubber carving, relief prints, and mixed-media.

Thematic Focus: Ethnographic recording, cultural memory, and the intersection of traditional heritage with modern, everyday realities.