Maria Cruz, born on 24 January 1957 in Manila, Philippines, is a conceptual artist renowned for her innovative approach to painting and multimedia installations. From an early age, Cruz demonstrated a keen interest in the arts, eventually becoming the curator of Shangri-La Collective's self-titled video performance, which gained international acclaim when showcased in 2003 at Artspace Visual Arts Centre, Sydney, before touring galleries across Australia and the Philippines.

Her educational journey took her to prestigious institutions around the world. She pursued her Bachelor of Visual Art at Sydney College of the Arts, Rozelle, from 1980 to 1983, followed by postgraduate studies in Visual Arts at the same institution from 1984 to 1985. Cruz further honed her craft at the Art Academy of Dusseldorf, Germany, in 1985-1986. She completed her academic pursuits with a Master of Visual Arts from Sydney College of the Arts, The University of Sydney, in 1998. Cruz's affiliations include the Shangri-La Collective and The Believers, where she collaborates with fellow artists to explore the boundaries of contemporary art.

Her artistic practice revolves around themes of pragmatism, conceptualism, and the interplay between art and life. Cruz is known for her pragmatic formulae, using various media such as installation and video to delve into physical and conceptual themes like color, language, and the process of painting. Cruz's work has been featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions globally, including solo showcases at the Sarah Cottier Gallery in Paddington, Sydney, Australia. She has received accolades such as the Portia Geach Portrait Prize in 1997 and the City of Hobart Contemporary Art Prize in 2004, solidifying her position as a prominent figure in the contemporary art scene.

Visit the Ateneo Art Gallery!

Address

Soledad V Pangilinan Arts Wing, Areté
Ateneo de Manila University
Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights
Quezon City, Manila, Philippines 1108

Get Directions Navigate Using Waze

Contact

Telephone

+632 8426 6001 loc. 5392

Telephone

+632 8426 6488

Email

aag@ateneo.edu

Social Media

Facebook

@ateneoartgallery

Instagram

@ateneoartgallery

Twitter

@ateneogallery

Copyright 2025 Ateneo Art Gallery - Ateneo de Manila University.
Powered by Passion.