Portrait of the artist

Pio Abad

Details

Born

1983

, 

Manila

Based

Manila

, 

Metro Manila

Medium

Drawing
Textile
Sculpture

Style

Conceptual

Bio

Pio Abad (b. 1983, Manila) is a contemporary Filipino artist based in London. He began his artistic education at the University of the Philippines before receiving his BA from The Glasgow School of Art and an MA from the Royal Academy Schools, London. His work explores the intersection of political histories, cultural memory, and objects. He is notably one of four artists shortlisted for the prestigious 2024 Turner Prize. His most significant work includes 'The Collection of Jane Ryan and William Saunders' – a decade-long artistic project examining the Marcos family's accumulated wealth. In 2015, he received the Fernando Zobel Prize for Visual Art from the Ateneo Art Gallery in Manila. His practice spans various media, including painting, sculpture, photography, and installation.

Show more

Notable

  • Shortlisted for the 2024 Turner Prize, one of the most prestigious awards in contemporary art
  • Recipient of the 2015 Fernando Zobel Prize for Visual Art
  • His work has been exhibited in major institutions worldwide including the Tate Britain, Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, and the Kadist Art Foundation
  • Known for his research-based practice that investigates themes of power, political history, and cultural memory
  • Currently based in London where he continues to create work that bridges Filipino and international contemporary art
  • His work often addresses post-colonial narratives and the intersection of personal and political histories
  • Regular contributor to international art discourse through lectures and writings