Nikki Luna (1977) studied visual art at the University of the Philippines, and she is currently undertaking her masters in Women and Development Studies at the same university. She recently received the prestigious Chevening Award to conduct a master in Art and Education at Goldsmiths, the University London, UK. In 2018 she authored the book I Love my Body to raise body awareness among girls (the book is published by Power in Her Story). In 2016, she was the recipient of a grant from the Asian Cultural Council. She exhibits her work at home (CCP; Vargas Museum; Lopez Memorial Museum) and abroad (Aichi Triennale, Japan; Singapore Biennale; Beijing Biennale; Le Festival International des textiles Extra Ordinaires, France). In 2015, she was one of the CCP 13 Artist awardees. In 2008, Nikki Luna conducted a residency at the Cooper Union Summer Art Residency in New York. And as an activist, she conducts art therapy workshops in conflict zones in the Philippines; Luna: “I believe that art is something that you can share. It feeds your soul.”

“Art is a powerful tool,” Nikki Luna says. "Art can tell peoples’ stories, retell history, incorporating the voices from the margins and continue sharing art to engage, provoke action and to promote healing in communities,” she adds. “It never crossed my mind not to speak of the injustice from the thousands of EJKS [extrajudicial killings], rape culture, misogyny under this administration,” she says. “I will continue to use my art to show the lives of the people wronged by the system.”

Biography

1977 born in Manila (PH)
Lives and works in Manila (PH)

Education

2018 - Present
University of the Philippines Masters Women and Development Studies (PH)
British Chevening Scholar Award MA Goldsmiths Art & Learning (UK)

2011 University of the Philippines BFA Painting (PH)
2008 Cooper Union Summer Art Residency (NY)
2006 Art Students League New York (NY)


Exhibitions
(2008 - 2019, selection)

2019
Eyes East Bound Cairo Biennale 13, Cairo Biennale, Egypt

2018
Deviations-FITE Festival Internationale des Tiles Extra Ordinaires,
Musee Bargnoin France (FR)
This is how to be a woman of the world? 1335MABINI , Makati (PH) (solo)

2017
Violence Need Not Be Bloody To Be Validated As Such, Manila Finale Art Gallery (PH) (solo)

2016
New York Asian Cultural Council 2016 Grant Recipient
A Very Thin Line , CERA Project, Hanbury st London (UK)
Playground , Owen James Gallery (NY)

2015
CCP Thirteen Artists Awards exhibit, Cultural Center of the Philippines (PH)
5th Beijing China Biennale (CN)

2014
After image, Museo Di Arte Moderna E Contemporanea Ditrento E Rovereto, Milan (IT)
Manmade Woman, Silverlens Gallery (PH) (solo)

2013
Lupa, Jorge Vargas Museum UP Diliman Quezon City (PH)
Awakening, Japan Aichi Triennale (JP)

2014
If the World Changed, Singapore Biennale (SG)

2012
Future and Reality, 5TH Beijing China Biennale (CN)
Shallow Grave, Equator Art gallery (SG)
Cadiz, Spanish Embassy and Met Museum (PH)
Beat, Lopez Museum Makati (PH)

2011
Menagerie of Bursting lilies, Finale Art File (PH)
Present Superstition Blanc Gallery (PH)

2010
The Easter Bunny - Just as charming and just as fake Silverlens Gallery (PH)
Primo Marella Gallery Milan (IT)

2009
The Lure of Delicate Untruths, Magnet Gallery (PH)

2008
Cooper Union School of Art, New York Summer Residency group show (NY)