Name: Lorenzo Pepito

Talent: I am a painter foremost. Painting develops after drawing, as a way to express through colour and ease. It becomes a habit which turns instinctive and finally a tendency that one can just follow. It is currently my most direct form of artistic expression.

Inspiration: My current work is motivated by my involvement with contemporary shoe subculture. I collect and treat shoes as art objects. The idea behind it that attracted me is the purification of the object, veneration into art. Both art and my heritage influence the subject of my work.

My inspiration really was triggered by the minimalist work of American artist Carl Andre. I was at the Pompidou in Paris when I saw his work ‘Equivalent VIII’, which was about 120 fire bricks laid on the floor. Out of all the pieces this one really attracted me. Instinctively I was really drawn to this.

Cultural Background: I spent part of my youth in The Philippines until I was 14, and my experience there was that the cost and value relationship of shoes mimic art. It felt like brand name shoes cost a month and a half’s salary to purchase.

Influenced by this reality, as well as my developed art tendencies, I became drawn to shoe culture. This at the moment has become the subject of choice for me and is my contribution to culture.

Future Plans: At the moment I am actually learning French as I want to spend time in Paris. At first, I just wanted to live there for a bit, but after getting short listed into the RBC Painting Competition, my ambition changed to pursue an artist residency there, maybe three to six months. Besides this, continue vigorously in an art path.

Awards: RBC 2008 Painting Competition and Langley Arts Council Bursary are the professional awards I’ve had so far.

Advice: Keep learning and keep your integrity. It does not matter where you come from; what matters is where you are going. Learn about business and especially networking.

Ideal Medium:  Oil painting on canvas

Favourite Famous Artwork: There are too many, most museums display very impressive famous work and every time I get something out of it.

Next appearance/event: The RBC Art Competition starts September 25 at The National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa. Locally, in terms of an exhibit, it is still in talks.