ABOUT THE ARTIST

Leeroy New

(b. 1986- Philippines)

Leeroy New is a multidisciplinary artist whose practice manifests in large-scale immersive environments, costuming, collaborative performances and video works driven by concepts of world building, myth-making, and social change. His use of natural materials, found objects and assorted discards transformed into representations of a specific speculative future intersects Filipino contemporary life, pre-colonial mythology, and environmentalism. This eventually led to the creation of the Aliens of Manila project, an ongoing multi-platform collaborative series which documents “alien” bodies inhabiting Manila’s colorful yet often harsh streets as well as beyond its shores.

Since 2008, New has been a sought-after voice in contemporary art, with works showcased on major stages across North America, Australia, Europe, and Asia. He has exhibited at the Palais de Tokyo (Paris), Biennale of Sydney, Honolulu Triennale, Somerset House (London), the Ulaanbaatar Biennale (Mongolia), and the Setouchi Triennale (Japan). He was selected to create an installation for Burning Man 2020, completed a residency with the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, and produced landmark commissions for the Bentway Conservancy in Toronto, Canada; the Melt Festival in Brisbane, Australia; Somerset House in London; and Weltmuseum Wien in Austria, among many others.

Bird Nests, 2025
Bamboo, recycled plastic and found objects assembled Size variable

Leeroy New’s bird nest-inspired installation sculptures are notable for transforming everyday discarded materials into complex, biomorphic forms that evoke the creative ingenuity of avian nest building, while addressing environmental and social themes. These works often feature organic, swirl-like structures made from recycled plastics, electrical tubing, and hardware sourced objects, combining art, social commentary, and ecological consciousness.

Leeroy New reimagines the methodologies of birds in collecting nesting materials by foraging and assembling local, found objects such as plastics, irrigation hoses, and cable ties into large-scale installations. Like birds who use leaves, bark, and fibers, New draws parallels between natural and human-made materials-his sculptures often become “time capsules” containing both cultural and environmental narratives. The forms echo nests and root systems, referencing the Balete tree in Southeast Asia, and invoke themes of resourcefulness often found in Filipino communities who repurpose leftovers into decorative objects.