Avellana - Cosio, Ivi

Born in Manila in 1942 to National Artists Lamberto and Daisy Avellana, Ivi Avellana-Cosio is a versatile visual artist, writer, and stage performer. She studied Fine Arts at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) and the Philippine Women’s University (PWU) College of Music and Fine Arts, further honing her skills at the Contemporary Graphic Arts Workshop.

Exhibiting professionally since 1967, she has held dozens of solo shows and participated in over 250 group exhibitions worldwide. Alongside her husband, the late abstract artist Allan Cosio, she co-founded the Avellana Art Gallery, a cornerstone of the Philippine contemporary art community. A founding member and past president of the Philippine Association of Printmakers, she is listed in the International Who's Who of Women and has her works housed in major institutional collections across the globe.

Education & Background:

Undergraduate Studies: Fine Arts, University of Santo Tomas (UST)

Further Studies: Philippine Women’s University (PWU) College of Music and Fine Arts

Theater & Writing: Has acted since childhood with the Barangay Theatre Guild and Repertory Philippines; published short stories and columns in local periodicals.

Selected Awards & Grants:

1997: Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan Award for Painting, City of Manila

1994, 1995, 1997: Juror’s Choice, Philip Morris Philippine Art Awards

1991: Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Project Grant for a large-scale installation

1971: Grand Prize, 4th Annual Philippine Association of Printmakers Competition

Selected Solo Exhibitions:

2003: Floriade – Le Souffle Bistro, Pasig City

1994, 1995, 1996, 2000: Lumang Abakada / Intwilas / Alibata / Sulat Alibata series – Galleria Duemila, SM Megamall

1992: Lumang Abakada – Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP)

1988 & 1990: Tropical Flora I & II – Finale Art File & West Gallery

Selected International & Group Exhibitions:

1997: Two-person exhibit (with Allan Cosio), Italy

1985: Chosen to represent the Philippines at the VII International Biennial of Art in Valparaiso, Chile; BMW Gallery, Munich, Germany

1981: ASEAN Floating Exhibition (Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Singapore) & Fukuoka, Japan

1967: 1st Inter-Asian Graphic Arts Exhibition, Manila

Institutional Collections:
Avellana-Cosio’s works are permanently collected by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), Museum of Philippine Art (MOPA), Metropolitan Museum of Manila, San Miguel Corporation, Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), Toyota Motor Philippines, and numerous international private collections spanning the USA, Brazil, Germany, Italy, and Japan.