Artica Svalbard is Delighted to Welcome Liryc Dela Cruz for His Residency this Dark Season
Artica Svalbard is pleased to announce that Liryc Dela Cruz, an acclaimed artist and filmmaker from Tupi, South Cotabato in Mindanao, Philippines, has arrived for his residency with us from November to December 2024. Nominated by Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum, Liryc brings his deeply reflective practice to the Arctic, exploring themes of care, hospitality, decolonial and post-colonial practices, indigenous knowledge, and the complex histories of the Philippines.
Based in Rome, Italy, Liryc’s films and performances have been featured at numerous prestigious international venues, including the Locarno Film Festival, La Biennale di Venezia, Museo di Arte Contemporanea di Roma (MACRO), and Ocean Space (Venice). His ongoing research project, Il Mio Filippino, examines exhaustion, care, and colonial histories, receiving acclaim such as the Artissima Torino Social Impact Art Award.
Liryc’s films are thematically rooted in his origins, history, and biography, while his performances and research explore topics such as indigenous practices, the transpacific trade of enslaved people, and the legacy of colonialism. In 2023, his work Kay Kami Mga Mananap (Because We Are Beasts) reimagined pre-colonial concepts of intimacy and eroticism, while his major exhibition, Il Mio Filippino: For Those Who Care To See, delved into the colonial history of the Philippines and the trajectories of care and labor in the diaspora.
During his time in Svalbard, Liryc plans to engage with the local Filipino community, one of the most prominent non-Norwegian groups in Longyearbyen. This exchange will contribute to his ongoing exploration of cultural memory and storytelling, connecting the unique context of Svalbard to broader narratives of migration, labour, and identity.
Artica Svalbard warmly welcomes Liryc and looks forward to the insights his residency will inspire. Stay tuned for updates on opportunities to connect with his work on our website and social media channels.