Leo Orpilla Cunanan, Jr.

Leo Cunanan, Jr. was born in the Philippines and moved with his family to Canada when he was 9 years old. His early interest was in music and he took up drum lessons from Drums Only at age 13. At 21, he joined a band as a drummer and toured with Butch and The Sundance Kids professionally for a number of years. In the late 90’s, he studied graphic arts and worked as in-house graphic artist for a family-owned publication, Dahong Pilipino, the Filipino Canadian Community and Business Directory, of which he is now the president and publisher.

Leo developed a strong interest in fine arts upon meeting the maestro SYM Mendoza who provided him the inspiration to pursue an art career. “Everything I know in art, I learned from Tito SYM; he opened the door for me to discover my potentials and really enjoy painting more than anything else.” Leo works in pastel, charcoal, oil, watercolour; and also enjoys creating digital art.

Leo is an Active member of DIMASALANG III International Artist Group, led by SYM Mendoza, Active Member of the Federation Of Canadian Artists and Member of The Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN)

AWARDS

2015 Third Place Award for "Melissa", Federation of Canadian Artists' AUTUMN SALON SHOW

2013 Award of Excellence for "Wine and Fruit Medley", Federation of Canadian Artists' (FCA) STILL LIFE SHOW

2013 Finalist for City of Vancouver's IRONCLAD ART MANHOLE DESIGN CHALLENGE

EXHIBITS

2021 "Interconnected 2021 Virtual Exhibition" Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society
2020 "AIRE: Annual International Representational Exhibition" Federation of Canadian Artists Gallery, Granville Island, Vancouver, B.C. Canada
2020 "Tatlumpu't Isang Araw ng Sining Pilipino" (Thirty One Days of Filipino Arts)
2020 North Peace Filipino Canadian Association Virtual Exhibition
2018 "AIRE: Annual International Representational Exhibition" Federation of Canadian Artists Gallery, Granville Island, Vancouver, B.C. Canada
2018 "Active Member Exhibition" Federation of Canadian Artists Gallery, Granville Island, Vancouver, B.C. Canada
2016 "Artist's Choice" Federation of Canadian Artists Gallery, Granville Island, Vancouver, B.C. Canada
2016 Dimasalang III Group Exhibit, Official Opening of the Philippine Independence Day hosted by the Philippine Consulate, Vancouver, B.C. Canada
2015 "Autumn Salon 2015" Federation of Canadian Artists Gallery, Granville Island, Vancouver, B.C. Canada
2015 Dimasalang III Group Exhibition, Surrey Art Centre, Surrey, B.C. Canada
2014 "AIRS Annual International Representational Show", Federation of Canadian Artists Gallery, Granville Island, Vancouver, B.C. Canada
2014 Generation One ExplorASIAN Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society, International Art Gallery, Vancouver, B.C. Canada
2014 "Dimasalang Expressions", Moat Gallery, Vancouver Public Library, Vancouver, B.C. Canada
2013 "AIRS Annual International Representational Show", Federation of Canadian Artists Gallery, Granville Island, Vancouver, B.C. Canada
2013 "Oil & Water Juried Show", The South Delta Artists Guild, Tsawwassen Longhouse Gallery, Tsawwassen, B.C. Canada
2013 "Still Life Show", Federation of Canadian Artists Gallery, Granville Island, Vancouver, B.C. Canada
2012 Two-Man Show with Dimasalang colleague Rod Pedralba, Lumen Espace Galerie, Vancouver, B.C. Canada
2012 Dimasalang III Group Exhibit, Official Opening of the Philippine Independence Day hosted by the Philippine Consulate, Vancouver, B.C. Canada
2012 Generation One ExplorASIAN Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society, International Art Gallery, Vancouver, B.C. Canada
2011 Generation One ExplorASIAN Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C. Canada
2010 & 2011 Philippine Day Festival, Slocan Park, Vancouver, B.C. Canada
2009 Dimasalang III Group Exhibition, Port Moody, British Columbia, B.C. Canada
2009 “Dimasalang Artists: Celebrating 40 Years, SM Art Center Megamall, Metro Manila Philippines
2008 “Dimasalang Artists: Celebrating 40 Years”, Roundhouse Exhibition Hall, Vancouver B.C. Canada
2007 Dimasalang III Group Exhibition: Chan Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C. Canada
2007 Kerrisdale Art Club Group Exhibition, Kerrisdale Community Centre, Vancouver, B.C. Canada
2006 Philippine Independence Celebration Group Exhibition, Plaza of Nations, Vancouver, B.C. Canada
2004 Philippine Independence Celebration Group Exhibition, Plaza of Nations, Vancouver, B.C. Canada
2004 The Art and Soul of Dimasalang III, Moat Gallery, Vancouver Public Library, Vancouver, B.C. Canada
2004 Philippine Independence Celebration Group Exhibition, Plaza of Nations, Vancouver, B.C. Canada
2003 Philippine Independence Celebration Group Exhibition, Plaza of Nations, Vancouver, B.C. Canada
2002 Philippine Independence Celebration Group Exhibition, Plaza of Nations, Vancouver, B.C. Canada
2001 Philippine Independence Celebration Group Exhibition, Plaza of Nations, Vancouver, B.C. Canada