The Life and Art of David Medalla

The Life and Art of David Medalla

Purissima Benitez-Johannot

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Details

Publisher: Vibal Foundation

Dimensions:  8.5″ x 11″

Pages: 266

Publication Year:  2012

ISBN: 978-971-97-0240-5

Language: English

Description

This is the first truly international and collaborative survey of the singular oeuvre of David Medalla, an artist who defies convention, classification, or national identification, and whose work encompasses visual, kinetic, performance, conceptual, participatory, and avant-garde art. While he was born in Manila, Philippines, and has travelled around the world, it was in London that he found himself at the center of several landmark artistic movements over the last fifty years, even as the British art establishment has been reluctant to recognize him. Art scholar Purissima Benitez-Johannot delves into Medalla’s early years and the position he occupies within the cultural context of the Philippines, the U.L. and the international art world. Critic Guy Brett meditates on what it means for an artist to be simultaneously global, collaborative, and ephemeral; Adam Nankervis reveals the stories behind his collaborations with Medalla; while Isobel Whitelegg writes on the artist’s affinity with transnational artists Lygia Clark and Hélio Oitica. Also included is an extensive interview with Medalla as well as a time-line of his major milestones.