I first took notice of sculptor Leeroy New’s work during Mich Dulce’s send-off exhibit in Greenbelt 5 not too long ago. There, amidst unassuming shoppers, stood an instillation made of tubes and glass balls that looked alien against the mall’s immaculate backdrop. The 24-year-old’s work has been described as provocative and consistently inclined towards sci-fi mythology. A graduate of UP Diliman’s fine arts program, and an Ateneo Arts Awardee, it’s no surprise that his work has been recognized offshore, being an exhibiting artist at the Singapore Biennale in 2008 and at the Fukuoka Asian Art Triennale last year.
His most recent achievement however was his show-stopping collaboration with designer Kermit Tesoro for Philippine Fashion Week, sending models down the runway bedecked in anatomical-inspired pieces, using silicone fused with fabric and transmitting a frenetic surge of excitement to fashion insiders seated at the front row. And if that’s not enough, he set out to be a production head, in charge of building sets and costumes, for the movie adaptation of local video game “Ran.”
Upon entering his workspace for this shoot, various pieces made of plastic, rayon, rubber and thin metal sheets are gathered in undone fashion. It may be difficult to pin down a clear depiction of his future pieces, but one thing is for sure: it’s about time you pay attention to the art scene’s newest sensation.
YOUNG STAR: When did you realize you wanted to become an artist?
LEEROY NEW: There was no single event that made me decide I would be an artist, it just seemed like the natural and logical thing for me to do.
Name one artist we must know right now.
I like different artists/designers for different reasons so choosing just one is hard for me. Plus, I don’t like playing favorites.
What’s your drink of choice?
Beer, the sophisticated choice, served in a bucket of six.
Where do you draw inspiration for your work?
Inspiration is a way of thinking for me. The external world only acts as a catalyst but inspiration is always there when you call for it.
Aside from creating awe-inspiring sculpture and instillations, what other skill do you possess that people might be surprised to learn about?
I used to be a budding chef before I went to study arts in high school. Plus, I’m really good at bad dancing.
What advice would you have given yourself 10 years ago?
Go into business... I kid. (Makes sad face)
Did you encounter odd jobs growing up before becoming a successful artist?
I took all kinds of work related to my training in the arts like constructing sets, making a giant bottle and accepting commissions of really bad taste among other things. That’s as odd as they got. I might try working as a call center agent as an experiment.
What moral issues are you passionate about?
My moral issues revolve around the idea of excellence in the work you choose to do as opposed to this prevalent culture of mediocrity.
What thought gets you out of bed in the morning?
Deadlines!
What do you consider to be your greatest achievement so far?
That I’m still active, working and, dare I say, thriving in a much-neglected industry.
How would you explain your work to a five-year-old who asks about it?
A five-year-old would probably get more out of my work than most people, or me, for that matter.
What can you say about the contemporary art scene here in the Philippines? Is it about to time we build a MoMa?
Despite being displaced by the rest of the country (or it could be the other way around), contemporary Philippine art is thriving and local talents are overwhelming. It is about time, but our MoMa would more importantly serve as a symbol for Philippine contemporary art as a legitimate cultural and economic force.
Your work with designer Kermit Tesoro drew raves during Fashion Week. Are you about to become a fashion fixture?
I wouldn’t mind but I think it’s clear that, with my background, my intentions with fashion are of a more conceptual and highly stylized nature.
Who else would you like to collaborate with?
I would love to collaborate with people of different specialties like architects, engineers, performers and industrial designers.
Which fictional character can you most identify with?
I would love to say Howard Roark (architect in Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead), despite his being too idealized.
If you were to invite five personalities to a dinner, who would they be?
The list is long so I chose randomly: Hussein Chalayan, Ferran Adria, Karim Rashid, Anish Kapoor and Zaha Hadid... but I’d probably be the one doing the serving.
There are a lot of sexy brains to choose from. There’s Michel Gondry, Ayn Rand, Alexander McQueen, and the list goes on.
What would you consider the greatest invention ever?
Bacon.
If you could live someone else’s life for a day, whose would it be and why?
The President. I could do a lot of “damage” with that one day.
Have any interesting dreams lately?
Always, but I seem to immediately forget the moment I wake up.
What’s next for Leeroy New?
More collaborations to come with people from different fields and specialties. The next one being with graphic artist/designer Dan Matutina for my installation at the facade of Ateneo Art Gallery this July.