Artist Biography
Benjamin Nazareno
Benjamin Riviere-Nazareno, or Ben Nazareno, is one of the youngest known and controversial artists of his generation of Filipino artists. Painting naked figures of women made him more popular because of his striking colors and style of creativity while painting on canvas in front of a nude model. Ben Nazareno had established for himself a name of international importance - exhibiting across the world, from Manila to Paris to London; and undeniable brilliance - manifested in his loyal and perennially expanding assemblage of admirers, and of course in his numerous awards. His works, mainly in nude figures is an emotional and personal depiction of cultural and social issues - especially those most relevant to Filipinos anywhere and everywhere in the world, is believed by many to be the foundation of his success.
Ben Nazareno was born on 1978 in Bas-Rhin, Strasbourg, France. Son of a Filipino Mariner Monsieur Ruben Ilagan Nazareno Sr. of Alaminos, Laguna, Philippines and a French Pot Maker Madam Marie Chantal Riviere of Ile de Reunion (an overseas territory of France in Africa). They have moved to Copenhagen, Denmark in 1980. Due to his parent’s separation, He left with his father, who later on took him back in the Philippines in 1983, and since that time, his father alone struggled to bring him up in the best way he can. He eventually lost in touch with his mother since then. Moreover, this is the striking point of why he chooses the female figure as his main subject on his paintings; for it is a resemblance of his deepest longing for a mother’s care and love. In addition, he quoted “I know that thru my paintings, I am continuously building bridges to become closer in the never - ending search for my Mother“.
During and after his stint at the Philippine Women’s University Institute of Fine Arts, Ben Nazareno worked for different Art Firms in Manila while exploring himself in many avenues of arts - photography, illustrations, cartooning, glass printmaking and graphics designing, while pursuing his craft as a painter.
In 2003, Ben Nazareno married his fiancé Carol Lynn Baluyot, whom he eventually met while studying at the University in 1998 and gave him a son that gave Ben more inspiration in continuing his craft while working at McCann Erickson International Advertising Firm as an Art Director. Before relocating his life to Paris, he made his formal exit by holding a solo exhibition at the Alliance Française de Manille entitled “Le Commencement” meaning The Beginning. It is the beginning of a new venture of a very talented artist in highlighting his beautiful works across and outside the country.
He decided to go back to his roots and seek peace of mind. Taking the chances of establishing himself in Europe which later on he was embraced by a rampage of admirers and collectors in which made him more controversial by critics in the Philippines. (Saatchi Gallery says, One of the best striking and vivid display of Western Nude Paintings by a Filipino Artist whom he shares his roots between his father’s pride as a Malay and the artistic blood that runs as a French).
“France in 2003 was the strangest thing I've ever done, it's like leaving my thoughts behind and facing the reality of being a stranger in your own country“. Struggling to cope with the language in France it was not a barrier for him to display most of his works in different galleries from Paris to Toulouse. However, after a few months of coping with a new culture and environment, He finally had his break to display most of his works and had several invitations to some other exhibitions that displayed Nude Figurative Paintings around France.
Although Ben Nazareno’s first years as a painter in Paris were not particularly easy, his talents were immediately recognized and he went on to enjoy a successful career in Europe. Returning home 2003, it was the hardest part for him, his father passed away while suffering from cancer. However, Ben Nazar
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