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VICTOR "Bong" ESPINOSA is a self-taught professional artist from the school of Life. Studied B.S. in Architecture at the University of Mindanao, Philippines. Prize winner in various inter school art competitions. An "Artist of the year awardee" in High school. He lived and worked in the Philippines and was actively participating in the community art organizations. He became a founding member of the defunct local Social Realists group: Lakbay-Diwa artists collective. He was a past officer, VP-for external affairs to the umbrella group Davao Artists Foundation DAFI. He initiated projects for the benefit of the Street children, organized and facilitated the "Pandayan" Children and Youth skills enrichment workshop in three-key cities in Mindanao which was funded by the National Commission on Culture and the Arts. He also co- organized the latest reputable loose-group "Artisthood" with founding members worldwide. He and the art group Artisthood underwent immersion trips to Blaan, T’boli, and Manobo Ethnic tribes in Glan, Bagumbayan, and Kulaman towns respectively late last year. He was commissioned by TRICOM to illustrate volumes of book materials consisting of output of earlier research conducted by the organization on indigenous mythology, beliefs, history, cultural practices, costumes, implements, and tools. He participated in numerous national and international art gatherings, exhibitions, competitions and congresses. His various group exhibitions listed up more than 40 Group shows since 1988 and have launched 11 solo shows locally and internationally. He considered himself as a consistent Finalist in different local and international art competitions, some of which are launched in the internet. He first made international impact in 2002 when he became a Finalist in the International Symbolists Juried Art show in Canada. Followed by a repeated feat in the 9th & 10th launchings of the Internet International Art and Photo Contests in Japan, 2003 and 20'04. His pen and ink drawings were also chosen from amongst the 40 emerging International artists in the "Phases of Eve" An interpretation of the female ideals. A fine art multimedia show presented by Art Fix International, USA in 2006. He also had two artworks chosen and exhibited in the BTB "Beyond the Barrelman" 1st & 2nd Juried International Show ( Chicago , USA ) May 2005 and Aug 2oo8. His works too were displayed in “Time Frames” Cross-culture exhibit in Washington DC and his year -ender submission to the North America Small works juried, sale and Gallery exhibition. The artwork being selected was entitled “Philippine Hinterlands-2”. He also had participated in "Stage Spirit" New York Realism Group show in Uncle Vanya art space in 2008. His first US group show was with the Artisthood’s “5 artists, 5 journeys” Exhibition at the Philippine Consular office in Manhattan New York, late last 2006. In 2008 he received a partially funded Artist Residency at the Vermont Studio Center, in Johnson VT. Under the Asian Artist Residency and Fellowship Program. In which he was awarded a Travel Grant and a homecoming solo exhibition in Manila, with accreditations from the National Commission on Culture and the Arts-Philippines thru the Artists in Excellence Support Programs for the Young artists. He had his First Studio works and Exhibition at the Barbara White Studios in Vermont Studio Center, USA. Months after, he was Invited to a Private Artist residency Program in New Jersey where he mounted his Second US solo show under the Sponsorship of an Education technocrat and an avid art collector. In 2009 he organized a 3-person show with a renowned Bicolano artist Pancho Piano and brought the Davao eagle artist Paconla in the Philippine Center New York, USA. That 3man exhibition was later moved to downtown Spring in New York and have it exhibited in San Lorenzo Ruiz chapel. In a short visit last 2010, his Annual Private artist residency program in New Jersey continues with a Fund raising International group show at the Rochester Museum in Brooklyn New York entitled “6x6x2010” followed by another Fund raising “Tea Party” solo show . which event was sponsored by the Associates in Mental Health and Disabilities in Berkeley, New Jersey. In 2011, he had his three artwork series entitled 10X10X2011 exhibited at 3212 Creatives Gallery in Washington DC. "Espinosa's brave visions have matured in time and have been enriched with immersions and experiences in the real life setting in the Philippine communities to the modern art capital of the world- New York." Copyright 2011 bong espinosa
