Albano, Ray

Born on January 27, 1947, in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte, Ray Albano began his creative journey as a writer, earning a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the Ateneo de Manila University in 1968. Recognized early for his literary excellence, he soon shifted his focus to the visual arts and curation, joining the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) in 1969.

At the CCP, Albano became a pivotal force. He designed exhibition spaces, posters, and stage lighting, and eventually drove the Center's visual arts programming toward experimental and educational frontiers. He convened the inclusive CCP Annual and founded the Philippine Art Supplement in 1980, creating a vital forum for critics and artists. A globally engaged practitioner, Albano represented the Philippines in numerous international biennials and exhibitions throughout the 1970s and 1980s.

Career Highlights & Awards:

1968: Awarded the John Mulry Literary Award for Literary Excellence at Ateneo de Manila.

1970: Received the prestigious Thirteen Artists grant from the CCP.

1977: Served as Artist-in-Residence under the Fulbright-Hays Fund at the University of the Pacific, California, USA (where he created his notable 13-page handwritten fable, The Grid Escape).

1979: Curated the landmark exhibition A Decade of Developmental Art for the CCP’s 10th anniversary.

1980: Founded the bimonthly contemporary art publication Philippine Art Supplement.

International Representations: Curated the Philippine entry for the Festival: Contemporary Asian Art Show in Fukuoka, Japan (1980); participated in the Biennale de Paris (1982) and the ASEAN Exhibition of Painting and Photography (1983); served as a juror for the Asian Arts Festival in Bangladesh (1983).